What “Patched” Really Means in Slang

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Content creator Jemaree Jay discusses the different meanings of “patched” on social media

Co-authored by Jemaree Jay and Dan Hickey

Last Updated: November 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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“Patched” Meaning

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Where did it come from?

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Other Meanings

“Patched” is a new term on TikTok, but it’s standard slang in Scotland, where it means to ignore or cancel something or someone. In this article, we’ll dive into exactly what “patched” means, as well as where it comes from and how it’s used on TikTok, with insights from content creator Jemaree Jay. Keep scrolling to learn more!

“Patched” Explained

Content creator Jamaree Jay says that “patched” is a Scottish slang word. It means to ignore something or stand someone up. On TikTok, users often say “patched” to talk about canceled behaviors or getting ignored. “Patched” can also mean something that used to work but doesn’t anymore, like a cheat code in a game.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “patched” mean in slang?

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To “patch” something in slang means to ignore, cancel, or just not do it. It might sound odd to American ears, but in Scotland, “patched” is a term for casually ignoring or canceling something or someone temporarily.^{[1]
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Research source} For example, you could patch a phone call you don’t want to answer, or patch an invitation to a party you don’t feel like going to. “Patching” doesn’t always have to be negative, though. You can patch things like bullies or distractions, too!
- Them: “Sarah keeps texting me.”
  You: “Just patch her and let’s go!”
- Them: “Do you still feel like going out tonight?”
  You: “Nah, let’s patch it and try again next weekend.”
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Jemaree Jay is a content creator based in Miami, Florida who examples pop culture trends through a comedic lens. He shares his content on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube under the handle @jemareejay.
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In relationships, “patching” means breaking up or breaking things off. “Patching” is often used in the context of ending a relationship in the sense of ignoring, ditching, or ghosting someone. You might be intentionally forgetting them in favor of someone else, or just leaving them behind in general.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Them: “Are you still seeing that guy?”
  You: “No, I patched it last week.”
- “Did you hear? Noah and Jesse patched it yesterday 😞”
- Note: This is a very different meaning from other English-speaking cultures, where “patching things up” means to reconcile or get over a disagreement.
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“Patched” can also mean something isn’t working anymore. Jay says he often sees “patched” used when a common pickup line for girls doesn’t work anymore. For example, guys were putting “Is Love Island Good?” in their Instagram notes, hoping that girls would reply to it (since “Love Island” is popular with women). That method would be ‘patched’ because it’s overused and the show isn’t trending anymore.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jemaree Jay
Content Creator

Expert Interview}
- Jay explains another example, “If a game has a cheat code and the creators found out about it and took it away, the cheat code would be ‘patched.’”^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jemaree Jay
  Content Creator
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 2 of 3:

Where did “patched” come from?

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Jay says that “patched” comes from Scottish slang.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Jemaree Jay
Content Creator

Expert Interview} It’s not totally known when or why the word “patched” started to mean ignoring something or standing someone up, but one thing is for sure—Scottish English is quite different from anywhere else! The slang meaning might be an ironic or playful twist on “patching things up.” Normally, “patching things up” means to fix or resolve a problem. In Scotland, though, you might just solve the problem by ignoring it!
- Curious to learn more? Check out our article about Scottish slang to expand your vocab!
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“Patched” is spreading to other English speakers thanks to apps like TikTok. Social media is a great way to spread new slang words, and “patched” is making the rounds on FYPs around the world. Non-Scottish TikTokers might post about how they’re “getting patched” when their videos don’t get sufficient views, or describe canceled or cringey behaviors as “patched” to mean “don’t do this anymore” (lots of creators use the phrase “the method is patched” in this case). For example:
- In this video by @dantexjohnson, the creator claims liking others’ Instagram stories is “patched” because it doesn’t mean anything anymore (“The method is patched”).
- Or in this video by @k.shigga, the caption reads “Pov: you’ve been patched” over a clip showing the creator rushing to get down the aisle on a plane after landing, only to be immediately blocked in by other passengers getting their luggage.

Section 3 of 3:

Other Meanings

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To make amends In other English-speaking cultures, to “patch things up” means to improve a relationship or reconcile after there have been some problems. For example, you might say you and your partner patched things up after an argument.^{[6]
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Research source}
- “I’m so glad we patched things up. I couldn’t take the silent treatment anymore!”
- “Joey and Rebecca are still trying to patch up their friendship.”
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To fix something poorly or hastily When you “patch something up” or give it a “patch job,” you’re repairing something in a simple and usually temporary way until a more permanent fix can be made later (like using a literal patch to cover a hole). This can apply to repairing objects (“I can patch up this tire until you get a new one”) or even giving basic medical care to someone (“I’ll use the first-aid kit to patch you up until we can see a doctor”).^{[7]
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- “He got knocked around in the game last night, but we patched him up!”
- “I need a new car! I keep patching this one up, but it won’t last much longer.”
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To earn full membership in a club In social groups, especially motorcycle gangs, to “get patched” means to be fully vetted, tried, and formally accepted into a group. AKA, you can wear the patch that represents your club or gang. Getting patched usually means you’re very committed and dedicated to the group—it isn’t just a casual membership.^{[8]
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- “Welcome to the club. You’re fully patched!”
- “I wouldn’t mess with him. He’s a patched biker.”