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  • Hi this is Tutor Nick P and this is Verb Phrase 120.

  • The verb phrase today is to sew up.

  • All right . Sew up something or sew something up.

  • All right . Let's look at we have three meanings here.

  • And we have three example to cover each meaning.

  • All right.

  • So let's look at the first one.

  • If someone sews up something.

  • He or she repairs or closes something, especially clothes.

  • This is the most basic meaning of sewing.

  • You are actually literally sewing like with a needle and thread , especially if you are

  • sewing clothes.

  • All right.

  • Let's look at number two.

  • If someone sews up a business deal.

  • This is a common one.

  • ... agreement or plan, he or she gets the results that is wanted.

  • So you can sew up a business deal agreement or plan.

  • Good.

  • Let's look at the third one here.

  • If someone sews up a situation or competiton , he or she is in control and is certain to

  • win or achieve something.

  • All right.

  • Let's look at the examples here.

  • Example number one.

  • You split your pants in the back.

  • You know, somebody bent over and (splitting sounds ) Ahh.

  • Maybe behind them.

  • Their pants split in two.

  • So you split your pants in the back.

  • If you ever wear it again, you need to sew it up.

  • Well, at least that pair of pants anyway.

  • Okay.

  • Let's look at number two here.

  • We should have this business deal sewn up by the weekend.

  • Yeah.

  • So again this is the second meaning.

  • You finished the plan and you got the result that you want basically . So, yes it is all

  • ready.

  • You finished by the weekend it should be all sewn up.

  • All right . And let's look at number three here.

  • The Yankees are 10 games ahead of the second place team in their division and this is during

  • the year just before post season.

  • Like going to the playoffs.

  • With only two to go before the end of the season.

  • It looks pretty good like they are going to win.

  • If they are 10 games ahead.

  • Usually there is one game a day.

  • What maybe there is only 14 games left, so pretty much the Yankees are going to win.

  • Any combination of either the Yankees winning two games and the second place team losing

  • another two games they would be eliminated.

  • The Yankees would definitely win.

  • So chances are the Yankees are not going to lose every single game and the second place

  • team is not going to win every single game.

  • That;' s probably very unlikely..

  • Okay.

  • So we can say this.

  • The Yankees are 10 games ahead of the second place team in their division with only two

  • weeks to go before the end of the season.

  • It looks like they have the pennant all sewn up.

  • So again.

  • Or at least their division all sewn up.

  • So they are definitely going to win that one.

  • And then of course usually then they go to the playoffs.

  • And if they win the playoffs then usually they win the pennant, All right.

  • Anyway, I hope you got it.

  • I hope it is clear.

  • Thank you for your time.

  • Bye-bye.

Hi this is Tutor Nick P and this is Verb Phrase 120.

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