adj. phr. (old).—Thorough; complete; ‘over Shoes, over Boots’ (B. E.); ‘to stick at nothing’ (GROSE): ‘a tailor’s expression’ (BEE). Hence TO GO THROUGH STITCH (see quot. 1611).
1611. COTGRAVE, Dictionarie. Achever. To atchieve; to end, finish, conclude (fully); to dispatch, effect, performe (throughly); to perfect, consummat, accomplish, GO THROUGH-STITCH WITH.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes, ‘A Nauy of Landships.’ The Taylers hell, who indeed are accounted the best bread men in the ship, and such as GOE THROUGH STITCH with what they take in hand.
1631. CHETTLE, Hoffman, iii. 2. O. Stilt. Mas he saies true son; but what’s the remedy? Stilt. None at all father, now wee are in, wee must GOE THROUGH STITCH.
1634. FORD, Perkin Warbeck, ii. 3. He that threads his needle with the sharp eyes of industry, shall in time GO THROUGH-STITCH with the new suit of preferment.
1690. The Pagan Prince [NARES]. For when a man has once undertaken a business, let him GO THOROW STITCH with it.
1721. D’URFEY, Wit and Mirth; or Pills to Purge Melancholy, iii.
| If any taylor have the itch, | |
| Your blacksmith’s water as black as pitch; | |
| Will make his hands go THOROUGH STITCH. | |
| Which no body can deny. |
1759–67. STERNE, Tristram Shandy, iii. 30. His book may properly be considered, not only as a model, but as a THOROUGH-STITCHED Digest and regular institute of noses.
