- buttoned-up
- adjective
Date: 1936
coldly reserved or standoffish <a buttoned-up executive>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
buttoned-up
Look at other dictionaries:
buttoned-up — uttoned up adj. 1. taciturn. Opposite of {voluble}. [British colloquial] [WordNet 1.5] 2. conservative in professional manner; as, employers are looking for buttoned up types. [WordNet 1.5] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
buttoned-up — adj informal someone who is buttoned up is not able to express their feelings, especially sexual feelings … Dictionary of contemporary English
buttoned — buttoned; un·buttoned; … English syllables
buttoned up — (slang) 1. Successfully fixed up 2. Safe in hand 3. Ready for action 4. See also ↑buttoned up above • • • Main Entry: ↑button … Useful english dictionary
buttoned — uttoned adj. furnished with buttons or something buttonlike. Opposite of {unbuttoned}. [Narrower terms: {botonee, botonnee}; {button down}; {closed}] [WordNet 1.5] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
buttoned-up — ► buttoned up informal formal and inhibited in manner. Main Entry: ↑button … English terms dictionary
buttoned up — also buttoned up ADJ GRADED If you say that someone is buttoned up, you mean that they do not usually talk about their thoughts and feelings. [INFORMAL] She plays Estella Campion, the rather buttoned up wife of an English clergyman. Syn: reserved … English dictionary
buttoned — button ► NOUN 1) a small disc or knob sewn on to a garment to fasten it by being pushed through a buttonhole. 2) a knob on a piece of electrical or electronic equipment which is pressed to operate it. 3) chiefly N. Amer. a decorative badge pinned … English terms dictionary
buttoned-up — adjective 1. (British colloquial) not inclined to conversation • Similar to: ↑taciturn • Usage Domain: ↑colloquialism • Regions: ↑United Kingdom, ↑UK, ↑U.K., ↑Bri … Useful english dictionary
Buttoned — Button But ton, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buttoned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Buttoning}.] [OE. botonen, OF. botoner, F. boutonner. See {Button}, n.] 1. To fasten with a button or buttons; to inclose or make secure with buttons; often followed by up. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
buttoned-up — /but nd up /, adj. 1. carefully planned, operated, supervised, etc.: one of the most buttoned up companies in the business. 2. conservative, as in professional style or manner: Employers are looking for buttoned up types. [1935 40] * * * … Universalium
