Differences between act up and sew up
Act up means to misbehave or malfunction, while sew up means to complete or finish something successfully.
Meanings and Definitions: act up vs sew up
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Act up
- 1Behave badly or strangely.
My computer's ACTING UP; I think I might have a virus.
Sew up
- 1To complete or finalize something.
As part of their winding-up operation they're sending two detectives to sew up this end of things.
- 2To close or repair something using stitches.
Mahoney said: "The German riggers aboard the old Zeppelins had to go up top regularly in flight to sew up tears in the canvas."
- 3To secure or guarantee something, especially a victory or success.
They seem to have the contest all sewn up.
Usage Examples: act up, sew up in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
act up
Example
My computer is acting up; I think I might have a virus.
Example
Her car acts up whenever it's cold outside.
sew up
Example
We need to sew up the details of the contract before the meeting.
Example
She sews up the loose ends of her projects before the deadline.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act up
To behave badly or inappropriately.
Example
The children were misbehaving in the restaurant and disturbing other customers.
play up
To exaggerate or emphasize something in order to gain attention or sympathy.
Example
She always plays up her accomplishments to impress others.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Sew up
wrap up
To finish or complete something.
Example
Let's wrap up this meeting and get back to work.
To secure or settle something conclusively, especially a victory or success.
Example
The team's last-minute goal clinched their place in the finals.
Differences in act up vs sew up: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: act up or sew up?
In daily conversation, people use act up more often than sew up. This is because act up can be used in a variety of situations, such as describing a child's behavior or a car that's not working properly. Sew up is less common and usually used in specific contexts, such as completing a project or winning a competition.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of act up and sew up
Act up and sew up are both informal phrases suitable for everyday conversations. However, sew up may be slightly more formal because it's often used in professional or competitive settings.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of act up and sew up
The tone of act up and sew up can differ based on context. Act up often carries a negative or frustrated tone when describing misbehavior or malfunction, while sew up typically has a positive and accomplished tone, especially when referring to completing a task or winning a competition.
