patch

patch¹ [pætʃ] n

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1¦(part of an area)¦

2¦(over a hole)¦

3¦(for growing something)¦

4¦(computer)¦

5¦(eye)¦

6¦(decoration)¦

7 a bad/difficult/sticky/rough patch

8 somebody's patch

9 not be a patch on somebody/something

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[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Perhaps from Old French pieche 'piece']

1.) ¦(PART OF AN AREA)¦

a small area of something that is different from the area around it

patch of

▪ We finally found a patch of grass to sit down on.

▪ Belinda watched a patch of sunlight move slowly across the wall.

▪ Look out for icy patches on the road.

▪ a cat with a white patch on its chest

▪ He combs his hair over his bald patch .

2.) ¦(OVER A HOLE)¦

a small piece of material that is sewn on something to cover a hole in it

▪ a jacket with leather patches at the elbows

3.) ¦(FOR GROWING SOMETHING)¦

a small area of ground for growing fruit or vegetables

▪ a strawberry patch

4.) ¦(COMPUTER)¦

a small computer program that is added to software to solve problems

5.) ¦(EYE)¦

a piece of material that you wear over your eye to protect it when it has been hurt

▪ He had a black patch over one eye.

6.) ¦(DECORATION)¦

AmE a small piece of cloth with words or pictures on it that you can sew onto clothes

British Equivalent: badge

7.) a bad/difficult/sticky/rough patch informal

a period of time when you are having a lot of difficulty

▪ Gemma's going through a bad patch right now.

8.) sb's patch

BrE informal an area that someone knows very well because they work or live there

= ↑turf

▪ Policemen know what's going on in their home patch.

9.) not be a patch on sb/sth

BrE informal to be much less attractive, good etc than something or someone else

▪ The second film isn't a patch on the first.

patch ²

patch² also patch up v [T + with]

to repair a hole in something by putting a piece of something else over it

patch together [patch sth<=>together] phr v

to make something quickly or carelessly from a number of different pieces or ideas

▪ A new plan was quickly patched together.

patch up [patch sth/sb<=>up] phr v

1.) to end an argument because you want to stay friendly with someone

▪ Try to patch up your differences before he leaves.

patch it/things up (with sb)

▪ He went back to patch things up with his wife.

2.) to repair a hole in something by putting a piece of something else over it

▪ We'll have to patch up the hole in the roof.

3.) to give quick and basic medical treatment to someone who is hurt

▪ We patched up the wounded as best we could.