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