buttoned-up

[buht-nd-uhp]

adjective

1. conservative, as in professional style or manner.

   Employers are looking for buttoned-up types.

2. carefully planned, operated, supervised, etc..

   It's one of the most buttoned-up companies in the business.

Word History and Origins

Origin of buttoned-up¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• careful 
• cautious 
• circumspect 
• discreet 
• equivocal 
• evasive 
• judicious 
• neutral 
• tactful 
• vague 
• wary