release a patch

Meaning

To make a software update available to the public in order to fix bugs, improve performance, or add new features to a video game or application. This is a standard term in the gaming and tech industries for post-launch support.

Examples

• The developers promised to release a patch to fix the frame rate issues by tomorrow.

  The developers promised to release a patch to fix the frame rate issues by tomorrow.

• They had to release a patch immediately after players discovered a game-breaking exploit.

  They had to release a patch immediately after players discovered a game-breaking exploit.

• Every time they release a patch, the meta of the game shifts completely.

  Every time they release a patch, the meta of the game shifts completely.

• I hope they release a patch soon because the multiplayer mode is currently unplayable.

  I hope they release a patch soon because the multiplayer mode is currently unplayable.

• The studio decided to release a patch that added a highly requested photo mode.

  The studio decided to release a patch that added a highly requested photo mode.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The company will publish a patch next week.

  ✓ The company will release a patch next week.

  While publish is understood, the standard collocation used by native speakers and developers is 'release a patch' or 'deploy a patch'.

• ✗ They need to release a repair for this bug.

  ✓ They need to release a patch for this bug.

  In software and gaming, a fix for a bug is specifically called a 'patch' or an 'update', not a 'repair'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After thousands of user complaints about the lag, the studio had to quickly ___.

  💡 Issue an update to fix software bugs.

  Show answer

  release a patch

• They plan to ___ next Tuesday to introduce the new seasonal event.

  💡 Launch an update with new content.

  Show answer

  release a patch