patch things up

Meaning

To resolve a misunderstanding, argument, or conflict in a relationship and become friendly again. It is used casually to talk about fixing friendships, romantic relationships, or even family disputes. It implies that while there was damage, both parties have agreed to move past it.

Examples

• After not speaking for two years, the brothers finally patched things up.

  After not speaking for two years, the brothers finally patched things up.

• I'm glad to see you and Sarah have patched things up after that silly argument.

  I'm glad to see you and Sarah have patched things up after that silly argument.

• They had a huge fight last night, but they managed to patch things up this morning.

  They had a huge fight last night, but they managed to patch things up this morning.

• It took a long time, but we finally patched things up and are back on good terms.

  It took a long time, but we finally patched things up and are back on good terms.

• We need to patch things up before the holiday dinner so it isn't awkward.

  We need to patch things up before the holiday dinner so it isn't awkward.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They patched up things after the fight.

  ✓ They patched things up after the fight.

  While 'patch up things' is occasionally heard, 'patch things up' is the far more natural and common phrasal verb order when using the pronoun 'things'.

• ✗ I want to patch things up with to my sister.

  ✓ I want to patch things up with my sister.

  The preposition 'with' directly connects the phrasal verb to the person; do not add 'to' after 'with'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After their big argument, they finally managed to ___.

  💡 repair their relationship

  Show answer

  patch things up

• I really want to ___ with my brother before he leaves for college.

  💡 resolve our conflict

  Show answer

  patch things up