Showing definitions for shut up

SEE ALSO

Slang dictionary results for shut up

shut up

British  

verb

1. (tr) to prevent all access to

2. (tr) to confine or imprison

3. informal to cease to talk or make a noise or cause to cease to talk or make a noise: often used in commands

4. (intr) (of horses in a race) to cease through exhaustion from maintaining a racing pace

---

shut up Idioms  

1. Imprison, confine, enclose, as in The dog was shut up in the cellar for the night , or She shut up her memories and never talked about the past . [c. 1400]

2. Close completely, as in The windows were shut up tightly so no rain came in . [Early 1500s] This usage also occurs in shut up shop , meaning “close the premises of a business,” as in It's late, let's shut up shop now . [Late 1500s] Also see close up , def. 3.

3. Cause someone to stop speaking, silence someone, as in It's time someone shut him up . [Early 1800s]

4. Stop speaking, as in I've told you what I think and now I'll shut up . This usage also occurs as a rather rude imperative, as in Shut up! You've said enough . [First half of 1800s]

---

Example Sentences

But regardless of the private enforceability issue, the court clearly wants everyone to shut up and pretend that Callais is business as usual.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

Wanting Charlie Kirk to shut up wasn’t the same as wanting him dead.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

Before joining The Beatles, he says he was practicing drums alone as a kid, and the neighbours complained, yelling at him to shut up.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

If ever there were a time for the Fed to shut up and listen, last week was it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

He couldn’t tell if she wanted him to continue or to shut up.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty