button up

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb (phrasal verb):
    • To fasten completely using buttons: To secure a garment by fastening all of its buttons.
    • To conclude or finish something neatly and completely: To bring a task, discussion, or project to a final, satisfactory conclusion.
Usage and Examples

  • Literal meaning (fasten buttons):

    • It's cold outside; you should button up your coat.
    • She buttoned up her shirt before leaving the room.

  • Figurative meaning (conclude/finish):

    • We need to button up the final details of the contract by Friday.
    • The team buttoned up the project ahead of schedule.
Advanced Usage
  • "to button it up": An informal, sometimes imperative, expression meaning to stop talking or to be quiet. (Note: This is closely related to the reference context's "shut up" but is more idiomatic and less direct).
    • He was talking nonsense, so I told him to button it up.
    • Okay everyone, button it up; the meeting is starting.
Variants and Related Words
  • Buttoned-up (adjective): Describing someone who is formal, conservative, or emotionally reserved.
    • He has a very buttoned-up personality and rarely shows excitement.
Synonyms
  • Fasten (for the literal meaning).
  • Conclude, finalize, wrap up (for the figurative meaning).
  • Be quiet, quiet down (for the "stop talking" idiom).
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Button down: Often used similarly to mean "to fasten" or can mean "to pin down" (as in details).
    • Please button down the flaps on the tent.
Related Idioms
  • Button one's lip: An idiom meaning to stop talking or to keep a secret.
    • I had to button my lip to avoid spoiling the surprise.
Verb
  1. refuse to talk or stop talking; fall silent
    • The children shut up when their father approached

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ trái nghĩa