hatch up
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To secretly make a plan, usually one that is tricky or dishonest.
Literal meaning: To incubate and bring something to life from inside an egg — to secretly develop something hidden.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To secretly plan or devise a scheme, especially one that is cunning, mischievous, or dishonest.
"The children hatched up a plan to sneak out of the house after their parents fell asleep."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Almost always used with a negative connotation, implying the plan is sneaky, devious, or mischievous. Often used with 'scheme', 'plot', or 'plan' as objects. The metaphor comes from hatching eggs — something being secretly developed before it is revealed.
Commonly used with
scheme plan plot conspiracy idea deal
Forms
Base
hatch up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hatches up
he/she/it
Past simple
hatched up
yesterday
Past participle
hatched up
have + pp
-ing form
hatching up
continuous
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