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."
separable
hatch up
B1 informal separable transitive
To secretly devise or plot a plan, scheme, or idea, often with cunning or negative intent.
In plain English
To secretly make a plan, usually one that is tricky or dishonest.
What does "hatch up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To incubate and bring something to life from inside an egg — to secretly develop something hidden.
Actually means
To secretly make a plan, usually one that is tricky or dishonest.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "hatch up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
scheme plan plot conspiracy idea deal
How to conjugate "hatch up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "hatch up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "hatch up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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