button up

present singular third person buttons up · participle present buttoning up · participle past buttoned up · past buttoned up

1. transitiveTo fasten with a button or buttons.

   Button up your shirt cuff. It has come undone.

2. intransitiveTo fasten all the buttons on a coat, or similar item of clothing, to keep warm.

   Button up well. It's freezing outside today.

3. ambitransitiveTo conclude; to finalize; to put the finishing touches (on).

   It's time to button up the meeting.

4. alternativeAlternative form of button up one's lip.

   He needs to button up.

5. USergativeslangtransitivegovernmentTo seal off (a military vehicle or facility).

   We fired at the tanks and caused them to "button up" and then we started shooting the infantry.

   1997, “Statement of S/Sgt. Alfred Sueflow, Company E, 253rd Infantry”, in Battle Between the Jagst and Kocher Rivers, 4-12 April 1945, page 136

   2 more examples

   Once buttoned up, NORAD's operation center can survive for more than 30 days without aid from the outside world.

   1996, Airman, volume 40, page 6

   He turned a key. NORAD buttoned up. The outside lights, flashing for half an hour now in warning of a simulated attack, stopped. Whoever was inside would stay inside. Whoever was outside would not be able to get in […]

   2000, Bonnie Ramthun, Ground Zero, page 6