button-up
noun/ˈbʌtənˌʌp/
1
A shirt fastened by a vertical column of buttons at the front.
button up
verbalso spelled button-up1
To fasten with a button or buttons.
- Button up your shirt cuff. It has come undone.
2
To fasten all the buttons on a coat, or similar item of clothing, to keep warm.
- Button up well. It's freezing outside today.
3
Ambitransitive To conclude; to finalize; to put the finishing touches (on).
- It's time to button up the meeting.
4
Alternative Alternative form of button up one's lip.
- He needs to button up.
5
Government, Military, Politics, War US, Ergative, Slang To seal off (a military vehicle or facility).
- 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:
- 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:
1 more example
- 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: