button up

as inlock
as intransact
as inbatten down the hatches
as in
as incap
as inclose

Synonyms for button up

verb fasten, clasp

Antonyms for button up

Word Origin & History

c.1300 (surname Botouner "button-maker" attested from mid-13c.), from Old French boton "a button," originally "a bud" (12c., Modern French bouton), from bouter, boter "to thrust," common Romanic (cf. Spanish boton, Italian bottone), ultimately from Germanic (see butt (v.)). Thus a button is, etymologically, something that pushes up, or thrusts out.

Meaning "point of the chin" is pugilistic slang, by 1921. A button as something you push to create an effect by closing an (electrical) circuit is attested from 1840s. Button-pusher as "deliberately annoying or provocative person" is attested by 1990 (in reference to Bill Gates, in "InfoWorld" magazine, Nov. 19). In the 1980s it meant "photographer."

Example Sentences for button up

Decoud, with his back to the table, began to button up his coat.

Button up all the way, if you please, for a doctor's essay; if-you-please.

She began to button up her coat again with sure, thin fingers.

At this moment she is striving in vain to button up one of Chubby's gloves.

Nervously I used the right hand to button up my coat, and then put it out of mischief in my pocket.

I took it quickly out and unbuttoned one coat-button: then, for lack of something to do with the hand, did the button up again.

Not only was he relieved from the great heat, but was even obliged to button up his coat to keep himself warm.

But nobody did ask you, darling, so in future when your betters are conversing, be good enough to button up that lip of yours!

On entering, Tallyho was reminded by his Cousin to button up his toggery, keep his ogles in action, and be awake.

She had now begun to button up her ulster, as though preliminary to resuming her deck promenade.

button up

Synonyms for button up

Antonyms for button up

button one's lip

cap

capped

capping

caps

button up

Synonyms for button up

Antonyms for button up

More words related to button up

batten down the hatches

button one's lip

cap

capped

capping

caps