1
general::
Phrase(s): button up
1. Lit. to fasten one’s buttons. • Your jacket’s open. You’d better button up. It’s cold. • I’ll button up in the car. 2. Fig. to get silent and stay silent. (See also button (up) one’s lip.) • Hey, button up! That’s enough out of you. • I wish you would button up and stop gossiping., Phrase(s): button something up
to fasten something with buttons. • Button your shirt up, please. • I will button up my shirt.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
1. Close securely, fasten, as in The house was all buttoned up, or Button up your coat? it's very cold. [Late 1500s] 2. Also, button one's lip. Hold one's tongue, keep quiet. For example, Please button your lip about the surprise. A variant of this usage, button one's mouth, dates from the 17th century. [Mid1800s] 3. Finish successfully, as in I've got this report all buttoned up. [c. 1940]
American Heritage Idioms