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baste up

C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To sew something with long loose stitches just to hold it in place while you check the fit, before sewing it properly.

Literal meaning: To baste (temporarily stitch) something up — 'up' implies the completion of the temporary assembly.

Meanings

1 C1 neutral

To sew pieces of fabric together temporarily with long, loose stitches before final permanent stitching.

"Baste up the side seams first so you can try the dress on and check the fit."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

A sewing and dressmaking term. 'Baste' on its own is more common; 'baste up' adds the sense of completing the temporary assembly. Distinct from the cooking sense of 'baste' (pouring juices over meat). Rare outside sewing contexts.

Commonly used with

seam hem garment fabric sleeve dress

Forms

Base
baste up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bastes up
he/she/it
Past simple
basted up
yesterday
Past participle
basted up
have + pp
-ing form
basting up
continuous

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