button up

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verb (tr, adverb)

to fasten (a garment) with a button or buttons

informal to conclude (business) satisfactorily

buttoned up slang taciturn; silent and somewhat tense

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby button up

button quail, buttons, button snakeroot, button-through, button tow, button up, buttonwood, buttony, butt plate, buttress, buttress root

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use button up in a sentence

He wore simple khaki pants and a light blue button-up shirt—no leather skirts.
Kanye West Debuts Baby North During Ridiculous Interview With Kris Jenner|Kevin Fallon|August 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He tans, moisturizes, exfoliates, and buffs, and then gels his hair back, with a crisp white button-up.
In ‘Mansome,’ Morgan Spurlock Takes On Modern Masculinity|Jessica Bennett|April 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She wears black ballet flats, cigarette-cut jeans, a sheer white button-up top and her trademark siren-red lipstick.
Project Runway's Jailbird Sings|Elizabeth Gates|August 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
At this moment she is striving in vain to button up one of Chubby's gloves.
Lippa|Beatrice Egerton

The doctor and the examining magistrate got into the sledge, and the white coachman bent over them to button up the cover.
The Schoolmistress and Other Stories|Anton Chekhov
So saying, she began to button up Waldron's jacket in front, giving it a pull this way and that to make it set better.
Rollo in Scotland|Jacob Abbott
Mr. Shaw picked up his stick, his gloves, and his newspaper, and began slowly to button up his coat.
The Brute|Frederic Arnold Kummer
Four old men we appointed to be courtiers, and made them button up their coats.
A Jolly Fellowship|Frank R. Stockton

Other Idioms and Phrases with button up

button up

Close securely, fasten, as in The house was all buttoned up, or Button up your coat—it's very cold. [Late 1500s]

Also, button one's lip. Hold one's tongue, keep quiet. For example, Please button your lip about the surprise. A variant of this usage, button one's mouth, dates from the 17th century. [Mid-1800s]

Finish successfully, as in I've got this report all buttoned up. [c. 1940]

button up

Words nearby button up

Words related to button up

How to use button up in a sentence

Other Idioms and Phrases with button up