button up

Close clothing by pushing its small round fasteners through their holes.

• Button up your shirt.
• She buttoned up the baby’s cardigan.
• Can you button this cuff up for me?

How to use it: button something up (Please button your shirt up.)

Similar words: button, fasten

Opposites: unbutton

Common phrases: button up a shirt, button something up

Close all the buttons on your outer clothing to keep yourself warm.

• Button up before going outside.
• We buttoned up against the cold wind.
• Have you buttoned up properly? It is snowing.

Common phrases: button up well, button up your coat

Finish the remaining details of a task, plan, or agreement.

• Let us button up the details.
• They buttoned up the deal just before the deadline.
• Can we button this project up by Friday?

How to use it: button something up (We need to button the agreement up today.)

Similar words: finalize, finish, wrap up

Common phrases: button up the details, button up a deal

Close and secure the openings of a military vehicle or building for protection.

• The tank crew buttoned up.
• They buttoned up the bunker when the shelling began.
• Have all the vehicles buttoned up their hatches?

How to use it: button up something (The crew buttoned up the tank before the attack.)

Similar words: seal, secure

Common phrases: button up a tank, button up before battle