were buttoning
- past progressive of button.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
General Ho Ying-chin, dignified chief of the Government's Military Affairs Commission at Peiping, asked himself what he and other high officers could do for China while simple soldiers were buttoning themselves up.
From Time Magazine Archive
One by one, they fluttered their wings and stayed still, as if they were buttoning up whoever stood in the shadows.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
But Melky rose and, shaking his head, buttoned up his overcoat as if he were buttoning in a multitude of profound secrets.
From The Orange-Yellow Diamond by Fletcher, J. S. (Joseph Smith)
The bailiff gave satisfactory answers, but spoke with a sort of heavy awkwardness, as though he were buttoning up his coat with benumbed fingers.
From A Sportsman's Sketches Works of Ivan Turgenev, Volume I by Garnett, Constance
Then when Ewan was six years old, and Danny and Mona were five, and the boys were buttoning their own corduroys, the Deemster came over from Ballamona and broke up the little nest of humming-birds.
From The Deemster by Caine, Hall, Sir
