button1 nounbutton2 verb
buttonbut‧ton1 /ˈbʌtn/ ●●● S2 noun [countable] 
WORD ORIGINbutton1
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French boton, from boter; ➔ BUTT2EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Press the pause button.
- To turn off the radio, push the button on the left.
- Jack tried but it was quite impossible; the button, like the steering wheel, was red hot.
- NoClue: Hey, what does this F4 button do?
- She pushed a button, cranking the bed to a more upright position.
- Silver foliage, yellow button flowers and a smell of chicken tikka.
- Then when you touch the button, what's inside you comes out.
- There are hundreds of black button eyes and a thick nest of yarn for the hair.
- We had been at computer class for nearly three hours, and we had not yet touched a button on the computer.
Longman Language Activatorto switch something on
to make something start working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example lights, televisions, or computers: switch on something: · Will you switch on the television?· I switched on the radio to listen to the news.switch something on: · Do you mind if I switch the light on?· Exhaust fumes come into the car when I switch on the air conditioner.
to make something start working, for example by turning a tap or pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, gas, or water: turn on something: · He went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.· Use timers to turn on indoor lights while you are away.turn something on: · Do you want me to turn the lights on?
to make a light, radio etc start working: put the light/radio/TV/kettle etc on: · Eva put the kettle on to make a cup of coffee.· Put the light on, then we can see what we're doing.· It was so cold I put the heating back on.
also start up to make a car, engine, machine etc start working: · She started the car and backed slowly out of the garage.· Clean or replace the air filter before attempting to start the engine.
: get a car/engine/machine etc started/going to succeed in making a car etc start after having some difficulty: · I couldn't get my car started this morning.· He rebuilt the engine and finally got it going.· It took the repairman an hour to get the washing machine going again.
to do something to make a piece of equipment that warns you about something start: set off something: · Someone accidentally set off the fire alarm.· Smoke alarms can be set off by smoke from cigarettes, cooking, and fireplaces.set something off: · The alarm is so sensitive that the slightest movement will set it off.
to make a system start operating - use this especially in technical contexts: · The bomb's firing mechanism is activated by a time-clock.· The smoke activated the sprinkler system.
to make a clock, toy, or other machine that does not have a power supply start moving: · Mr Carey wound up the old clock and gently set the pendulum going.· She pulled the lever that set the pump going and waited for the water.
to press a button which makes a machine start: · What happens when you press this button?· Somebody pushed the alarm button.
to pull a large control that switches on the electricity supply to something: · The Speaker of the House threw the switch for the Christmas tree lights in front of the Capitol building.
to switch something off to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example, lights, televisions, or computers: switch off something: · Always switch off your computer when you've finished.switch something off: · It's OK - I switched the TV off before I went out.
to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button or turning a tap - use this about things that use electricity, gas, or water: turn off something: · Would you turn off the heater before you go to bed?turn something off: · You forgot to turn the oven off!
to make an engine or a machine stop working: · George stopped the engine and got out of the car.· We had to stop the pump and unblock it.
to press a button that makes a machine stop: · If you want it to stop, just press the red button.
to switch a light off: put out something: · Norma put out the light and went to sleep.put something out: · Could you put the lamp out in the bedroom, please?
to make a light stop working by pressing a button: · Don't forget to turn out the lights when you go to bed, okay Annie?
if you shut off or shut down a machine, you make it stop operating: · The computer automatically shuts off the pump when no water is flowing.· The Department of Energy shut down the reactor because of safety considerations.
to remove the thing that connects a piece of electrical equipment to the main electricity supply, so that it is no longer connected to it: · Did you remember to unplug the kettle?· I was getting a lot of crank calls, so I started unplugging my phone at night.
formal to separate a piece of equipment from the main electricity or gas supply so that it is no longer connected to it: · Once a car has started, the engine would continue to run even if you disconnected the battery.
WORD SETSaccessory, nounalter, verbappliqué, nounarmband, nounarmhole, nounbag, nounbejewelled, adjectivebillfold, nounboater, nounbow, nounbowler, nounbow tie, nounbraid, nounbraid, verbbreast-pocket, nounbrim, nounbum bag, nounbust, nounbutton, nounbutton-down, adjectivebuttonhole, nouncape, nounchecked, adjectivecivvies, nounclasp, nouncleat, nounclingy, adjectiveclothes brush, nounclothes hanger, nounclutch bag, nouncoat check, nouncoat hanger, nouncoatroom, nouncobbler, nouncockade, nouncocktail dress, nouncodpiece, nouncollar, nouncollar stud, nouncolour-coordinated, adjectivecolourfast, adjectivecorsage, nouncostume, nouncoveralls, nouncravat, nouncrinkly, adjectivecut, noundark glasses, noundarn, verbdarn, noundart, noundécolletage, noundetailing, noundiadem, noundiaphanous, adjectivedishevelled, adjectivedowdy, adjectivedown-at-heel, adjectivedress, noundress, verbdressed, adjectivedressmaker, noundress sense, noundressy, adjectiveepaulette, nounfacing, nounfancy dress, nounfinery, nounfleecy, adjectivefop, noungarb, noungather, verbgingham, noungold-rimmed, adjectivegranny, adjectivegroom, verbhabit, nounhandbag, nounherringbone, nounknit, verbknitwear, nounline, verblined, adjectiveliner, nounlingerie, nounlining, nounlivery, nounlocker room, nounmade-to-measure, adjectivemade-to-order, adjectivemakeover, nounmodel, nounmodel, verbmodelling, nounmohair, nounname tag, nounnatty, adjectiveneckline, nounout, adverbpack, nounparasol, nounpinstripe, nounplaid, nounpleat, nounpleated, adjectiveplume, nounplumed, adjectiveplunging neckline, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket handkerchief, nounpolka dot, nounpompom, nounpopper, nounpouch, nounpower dressing, nounpress, verbproof, verbpurse, nounraffish, adjectiveragged, adjectiverail, nounretro, adjectivesalon, nounsensible, adjectivesequin, nounset, verbshoeshine, nounshoulder bag, nounshoulder pad, nounshoulder strap, nounsingle-breasted, adjectivesize, nounsleeve, nounsleeveless, adjectivesling, nounsmocking, nounsoigné, adjectivespangle, nounsportswear, nounstarch, verbstitch, nounstud, nounstudded, adjectivetack, verbtail, nountailor, nountailored, adjectivetailoring, nountapered, adjectivetartan, nountatters, nounthread, nounthread, verbtie-dye, verbtie-pin, nountoe, nountoecap, nountoggle, nountongue, nountoupée, nountrainer, nountrimmings, nountrouser press, nounturn-up, nountweedy, adjectiveunbecoming, adjectiveundress, noununmentionables, nounvalet, nounwallet, nounwear, verbwearer, nounweatherproof, adjectivewell-dressed, adjectivewell-groomed, adjectivewristband, nounzip, nounzipper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
· Small children can't fasten their own buttons.
(=fasten it)· He quickly did up the buttons on his shirt.
· Can you unfasten this button for me?
(=unfasten it)· I can't undo the buttons on the back of this dress.
· Two of the buttons on the jacket were missing.
· A button has come off my skirt.
· His favourite shirt had lost a button.
· It doesn't take a minute to sew on a button.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + button· He was wearing a white shirt with the top button undone.
· Is this your coat button?
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· He hit the alarm button under the desk.
(=used to emphasize how easy a machine is to use)
Files can be attached to your email at the push of a button.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE Files can be attached to your email at the push of a button.· Finlayson thought for a good long time, while he stared at Callaghan's bright new buttons.· Some of them are frail physically but are as bright as a button in their minds.· Reddish brown hair and bright, button eyes, and a shy, quivering look.· She was as bright as a button.· Some say Idi is briefly a bellboy at the Imperial Hotel in Kampala, bright buttons shining.
· The blue silk mortar board she wore was edged in gold lace with a gold bullion button and tassel.· He was right there in front of me, white wings and a blue robe with gold buttons.· Leather brogues, £69, Bally. 18K gold button cufflinks, £540, Boodle & Dunthorne.· The line is often simple, but outfits are trimmed with velvet or gold buttons.· Recently he bought a pair of Evisu jeans with gold buttons for £1,250.· As he approached, the clerk noticed that the Prince's doublet was of pure white satin with gold buttons.
· It really is a hot button.· So far in this campaign season at least one perennial hot button issue is missing.
· Holding the left mouse button on the right pointing arrow to move the magnified area to the right.· Doubleclick on it with the left button.· Display peak value Move mouse over a peak, click the LEFT mouse button.· Step 1: While holding down the left mouse button, slide the mouse over the text you wish to capture.· Pre-select from right to left and press the right part button and the left tuck button.· Click the left mouse button twice and the design area will print out sideways.
· They sit in front of little screens and press little buttons, but no skill is involved.· He put his hand down to the crutch of the camiknickers and he fumbled with the little buttons.
· Through the watery mist she focused on the red panic button that stood out upon the wall behind the door.· Thursday inside the Olympic Dome, Rudy not have hit the panic button, but his voice clearly was raised.· One does not cry wolf with panic buttons.· The guy was just a walking panic button, something to wake you up.· And why have governments in the region not pressed the panic button?
· Can teachers wear political buttons, badges, or armbands to class?· Elfant is a political button vendor, a lifelong liberal who is making his living this week at the Republican National Convention.· The show has been nicely augmented by hand-decorated clothing, record covers and political buttons of the era.
· He found it on the far side, punched the red button and watched the big metal doors start to move.· The fitted blue jacket and the small cap with the red button disappeared.· Through the watery mist she focused on the red panic button that stood out upon the wall behind the door.· Around-the-clock, certified poison specialists field calls on 1970s-era phone consoles with rows of blinking white and red plastic buttons.· Being a very friendly fellow he once let me punch the red button that started the press.· Litchfield came to the head of the bed and pushed the red button protruding from the maple headboard.· There were no red or blue buttons to push, only a lot of paperwork.· Aged about ten months, he sports a poorly, red button of a nose, barnacled with encrusted snot.
· Pointing at the object and pressing the right mouse button displays each object's properties.· He pushed all the right buttons.· What presses the right button in different cells?· Use your trusty right mouse button to click on it, which will bring up a properties sheet.· Object properties, once set, can be redefined simply by re-clicking the right mouse button.· The appeal punched the right buttons and played to the latent bigotry and fears in many whites.· The lift was thankfully free and she stepped blindly into it, blinking so that she could find the right button to push.· These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
· He's got his big winter coat on with silver buttons and his tall hat.· But Leon didn't let go, rubbing at the coat's tarnished silver button.· A few brass and silver buttons gleamed in the minimal light.
· Swiftly, she unfastened the small pearl buttons of her bodice, and pulled the dress over her head.· Then his fingers fumbled to unfasten the small buttons of her suit jacket.· The only controls are a variable speed dial mounted on the top of the trigger, and a small lock-on button.· She stretched out a hand and retrieved a small pearl button.· Top right: small buttons can be a nightmare for uncoordinated fingers.· Underneath she wore a traditional dress, high-necked with small hand-made buttons but without decoration.
· Loosen tie & undo top button of shirt so that shirt collar bows out and tie arches forward like a cup handle.· Waistcoats or sleeveless pullovers sometimes worn with suits, though you couldn't see them when the top button was done up.· He had loosened his tie and undone the top button of his shirt.· He undid the top buttons of his shirt and pulled the shirt apart.· In his corner, a second pulls Ali's shirt-tail from his trousers; the top button remains buttoned.· She followed his eyes downwards and cringed inwardly when she realised the top buttons of her shirt had come undone.· He flung himself at her, springing the top button of his jeans and jerking them down as he did so.· Piers was in the living-room as they walked in, half naked, the top button of his faded jeans undone.
NOUN· The belly button was protruding and it looked ready to burst.· A man with monogrammed shirts, a maid, a mansion, and all he wanted was to finger her belly button.· The ruby in her belly button stayed put.· In the early 1960s and 1970s and in the mid 1990s shrunken tight clothing often exposed the belly button.· His checked shirt was pulled out of his pants, and his belly button was showing.
· There is the woman whose clothes are covered from head to toe with Presidential campaign buttons.· Visitors can print out campaign buttons or postcards.
· To kick the ball, press and release the fire button.· It consisted of a contoured handgrip fitted with a top-mounted fire button and a side mounted pause control.· With three directions, you can also belt it at 45-degree angles by moving the joystick with the fire button depressed.· Release the fire button before the joystick and the angle increases to 70 degrees, which is great for crosses.· The remaining pair of pads, mounted at the bottom of the tube, are used as fire buttons.· Just hold down the fire button to determine strength, and position the joystick as for a standard kick.
· Pointing at the object and pressing the right mouse button displays each object's properties.· Use your trusty right mouse button to click on it, which will bring up a properties sheet.· Double-click - A mouse procedure where the left-hand mouse button is pressed twice in quick succession.· Then there was the mouse button war.· Object properties, once set, can be redefined simply by re-clicking the right mouse button.· The right-side mouse button is one such key to using Windows 95.· Mass Downloader is particularly nice, as it integrates into your mouse button menu.· But debates about mouse buttons are impassioned and urgent.
· Both machines have a pause button for interruptions.· Everything freezes on the court, like some one has hit the pause button and suspended the characters in a movie.· Every few seconds, Jody hits the pause button, freezing a frame to show them how out of position they are.· Remember when we talked about the pause button on a video camera?
· But, as you know, with the K858 you have the advantage of push buttons.· Five push buttons take care of the full-speed play, half-speed play, record, instrument distortion and stop options.· Between these two displays are the rotary encoder control and four push buttons.· Equipped for fast and comfortable cruising, her deck equipment includes 22 self tailing winches with electric push button primaries.· There are other sub-classes for graphical user interface components such as push buttons and scroll bars.· If you have a push button phone, you can choose your reading by pressing any number from 1-78.
· When you're all set, click the Start button in the Recording Controls option and ramble away!· C.. The Start button. 20.· Unlike some other units, this charger has a start button: charging begins when the red start button is pressed.· When he was sure that there had been no modifications since his last trip, he pressed the START button.· Unlike some other units, this charger has a start button: charging begins when the red start button is pressed.
VERB· People who buy several souvenir buttons tell which candidate they are supporting.
· You can set which details are shown by clicking the Options button.· The user can click on a button to switch between the different languages.· Instead I would just like to be able to click a single button which means assigning a macro to an appropriate icon.· She clicked on the button to turn over the second card, and the second card was Death.· This should become clearer if you run the project, click the button and study the output carefully.· Users just have to click an on-screen button to encrypt an outgoing message.· To place a call, type one of the following into the Address bar: Then click the Place Call button.· To go back to a page you previously visited, click the Back button until you find it.
· She rose and picked up her coat and fastened the buttons with a feeling of determination.· It fastens with buttons at the front.· Abstractedly he fastened buttons and tucked in his shirt.· His fingers were numb and he had trouble fastening the buttons.· A back opening fastens with buttons and a wide sash ties at the waist.
· She slammed the gate across - surprisingly lithe, her bicep bunching - and hit the button for the third floor.· Everything freezes on the court, like some one has hit the pause button and suspended the characters in a movie.· I pulled it out of my pocket and hit the button that silenced it.· Some one hit the down button and the Oval once again began its forty-foot descent into the earth.· They hit the button, and the results-pub lished last month in the journal Science-were shocking.· Thursday inside the Olympic Dome, Rudy not have hit the panic button, but his voice clearly was raised.· But when Tonia is due to jet in he hits the panic button and blitzes the housework.· Every few seconds, Jody hits the pause button, freezing a frame to show them how out of position they are.
· Zoom Control Move mouse over the molecule, hold Shift key, click and hold mouse button and drag.· Show Menu Move mouse over molecule, click and hold mouse button and wait.· All you have to do is press and hold down a button.· Move the magnified area up by holding down the mouse button on the up arrow and stop at row 39.· Just hold down the fire button to determine strength, and position the joystick as for a standard kick.
· This prospect pressed a peril button in Yeremi's brain.· It was only necessary to break the seal, press a button, and then wait.· Simply press the reset button twice and the machine boots up into the diagnostic routine.· He pressed a button and somewhere high above machinery clunked into life.· By this time Cecilia had forgotten all about not pushing past the bear to press the button and get out.· S/he then pressed the button to present the stimulus card and start the timer.· Please ring. - so she pressed the button.· At 0900 promptly the youngest and newest recruit had the privilege of pressing the button.
· D'Arcy punched the intercom button and introduced himself to the disembodied Oriental voice at the other end.· I sat down in my swivel chair and propped my feet up, punching the replay button on the answering machine.· He found it on the far side, punched the red button and watched the big metal doors start to move.· The appeal punched the right buttons and played to the latent bigotry and fears in many whites.· Being a very friendly fellow he once let me punch the red button that started the press.· Hours later he punches a button on his computer and an electronic scream of rage races into cyberspace.· Krajewski punched the freeze frame button.· He leaned back and punched an erase button at the center of his thoughts.
· Simply press the reset button twice and the machine boots up into the diagnostic routine.· A reset button may be used to cancel operation and a further pushbutton switch used to trigger the unit at any time.· Pressing the Set or Reset button should have no effect.· A reset button is also provided, which is pressed if the charging light fails to illuminate.
· I washed out a pair of tights and sewed on a button.· Use dental floss to sew buttons on to heavy fabric such as coats.· It's no good making fatuous suggestions ... It would be better if you concentrated on sewing some buttons on my shirts.· She even once let Alison sew on a button and observed Alison's gratitude.· In Hull a man had poisoned his wife because she'd refused to sew buttons on to his clothes.· She sewed buttons on to a white shirt she'd made.
· Then when you touch the button, what's inside you comes out.· We had been at computer class for nearly three hours, and we had not yet touched a button on the computer.· Adam touched the sixth button, but neither man spoke on their journey up to the sixth floor.· They approached a blank stone wall and the lad touched certain buttons upon the contraption he wore on his wrist.· She studied the controls for a moment, then touched a button.
· She was repeatedly doing up and undoing the bottom button of her black cardigan.· Loosen tie & undo top button of shirt so that shirt collar bows out and tie arches forward like a cup handle.· He hesitated, then with a straight arm reached and undid her top button.· He had loosened his tie and undone the top button of his shirt.· He undid his buttons, and peeled off his shirt.· He shrugged out of his jacket and her hands went to his cotton shirt, fumbling in their haste to undo the buttons.· He pushed her backwards and covered her body with his own, as he gradually undid the buttons of her dress.
· With plug-and-play installation and big, easy to use buttons, the setup is pretty standard.· For example, players who use three-button mice with the game can use one of the buttons to look up or down.· The remaining pair of pads, mounted at the bottom of the tube, are used as fire buttons.· When you use that button, you freeze the scene.· Instead of using both part buttons, one part and one tuck button are pressed.· It is all designed to stop you from using the remote-control button to switch channels.· A silence long enough, I imagine, for her to use the fast-forward button.· The owner then uses three tiny buttons to feed, play with, clean up after and discipline it.
· She went to a high-level management meeting wearing a button badge proclaiming her news.· Can teachers wear political buttons, badges, or armbands to class?
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► press/push somebody’s buttons► at/with the push/touch of a buttonPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a small round flat object on your shirt, coat etc that you pass through a hole to fasten it: - He pushed all the right buttons.
- These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
- Mrs Stych fixed her button eyes upon the elegant figure of Mrs Frizzell and bowled purposefully across the lawn.
- Reddish brown hair and bright, button eyes, and a shy, quivering look.
- There are hundreds of black button eyes and a thick nest of yarn for the hair.
- She got to our house at two, on the button.
- The weather forecast was right on the button.
- Did he bank and dive, his finger on the button, his guns blazing from the wings?
- He made his birdie and he made his cut, right on the button.
- He was pressing hard on the button and standing patiently for the door to open.
- She clicked on the button to turn over the second card, and the second card was Death.
- So she pressed down on the button more firmly.
- The whole show, Dominic says, is about keeping your finger on the button.
- She was as bright as a button.
- Some of them are frail physically but are as bright as a button in their minds.
- And why have governments in the region not pressed the panic button?
- Derby County chairman Brian Fearn has refused to push the panic button after Tranmere's 2-1 win.
- Between these two displays are the rotary encoder control and four push buttons.
- But, as you know, with the K858 you have the advantage of push buttons.
- Five push buttons take care of the full-speed play, half-speed play, record, instrument distortion and stop options.
- Subtle it ain t, but for big-band fans, it pushes all the buttons.
- The destabilizing effect will push buttons and force changes.
- The geeky suitor lost, which pushes the wrong buttons.
- This can only be because there is something about Twinkies that pushes buttons in us that other junk foods do not.
- When your words are likely to push his buttons, use anticipation.
- A reset button is also provided, which is pressed if the charging light fails to illuminate.
- A reset button may be used to cancel operation and a further pushbutton switch used to trigger the unit at any time.
- For security, the reset switch is situated in a secret place and may be key-operated.
- Is it possible to list a program after resetting the game with a reset switch? 2.
- Simply press the reset button twice and the machine boots up into the diagnostic routine.
- You should find that you can change the output states by pressing the appropriate set or reset switch.
- A customer uses her remote control to shop different channels with the touch of a button.
- An oil dispensing massage head dispenses oil at the touch of a button to give a smooth, drag free massage.
- At the touch of a button a huge gate opens and I am confined in a small area between fences.
- At the touch of a button they can still be made to disappear.
- Jet start operates for 30 seconds at the touch of a button.
- Letters, words or whole lines can be deleted and new texts inserted at the touch of a button.
- Up to ten needles can be operated separately by computer programme producing endless designs and colourways at the touch of a button.
- You can add categories and recipes at the touch of a button.
small pearl buttons A button was missing from his shirt. She undid (=unfastened) the buttons of her blouse.do up a button British English (=fasten a button)2a small part or area of a machine that you press to make it do something: Press the pause button. Click on the icon with the right mouse button. → push-button3a small area on a computer screen, especially on a website, that you click on in order to perform an action4American English a small metal or plastic pin with a message or picture on it SYN badge British English: presidential campaign buttons5button nose/eyes a nose or eyes that are small and round6on the button especially American English informal exactly right, or at exactly the right time: She got to our house at two, on the button.7press/push (all) the right buttons to get what you want by behaving in a clever way: She seemed to push all the right buttons.8press/push somebody’s buttons to make someone angry by doing or saying something that annoys them: He really knows how to push Dad’s buttons.9at/with the push/touch of a button used to emphasize how easy a machine is to use because it is controlled by pushing a button: The instrument can gauge a distance with the push of a button. → as bright as a button at bright(8)COLLOCATIONSverbsfasten a button· Small children can't fasten their own buttons.do up a button (=fasten it)· He quickly did up the buttons on his shirt.unfasten a button· Can you unfasten this button for me?undo a button (=unfasten it)· I can't undo the buttons on the back of this dress.a button is missing· Two of the buttons on the jacket were missing.a button comes off something· A button has come off my skirt.something has lost a button· His favourite shirt had lost a button.sew on a button· It doesn't take a minute to sew on a button.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + buttonthe top/bottom button· He was wearing a white shirt with the top button undone.a shirt/skirt/coat etc button· Is this your coat button?button1 nounbutton2 verb
buttonbutton2 verb [intransitive, transitive] VERB TABLE
button
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | button |
| he, she, it | buttons | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | buttoned |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have buttoned |
| he, she, it | has buttoned | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had buttoned |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will button |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have buttoned |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am buttoning |
| he, she, it | is buttoning | |
| you, we, they | are buttoning | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was buttoning |
| you, we, they | were buttoning | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been buttoning |
| he, she, it | has been buttoning | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been buttoning |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be buttoning |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been buttoning |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Button up your coat, Nina - it's cold.
- The pants button at the side.
- He pulled his trousers back up and buttoned his fly.
- Her fingers buttoned something at her neck where there was nothing to button.
- No - he was buttoning his jacket in a purposeful manner, and they were about to leave the scene.
- Rickels needs help for tasks such as buttoning his shirt.
- She got up from the bed, buttoned up her nightshirt and went to the door.
- Then he buttoned the top over his undershirt, and pulled on a pair of green socks.
Longman Language Activatorto fasten something
to join together the two sides of a piece of clothing, bag, belt etc, so that it is closed: · Fasten your coat - it's cold outside.· He fastened the bracelet for her.· Ella fastened her blouse with shaking fingers.
to fasten the buttons on a piece of clothing: · He began buttoning his shirt and putting on his tie.· Stone buttoned up his heavy jacket.button something up/button up something: · She buttoned her cardigan up all the way to her neck.· I adjusted my tie and buttoned up my coat.
also zip especially American to fasten clothes, bags etc with a zip: · I can't zip up these jeans - they're too tight.· Can you zip my dress for me?zip something up: · She took some money out of her purse and quickly zipped it up again.zip up something: · Roger zipped up the battered black case he carried his guitar in.
British especially spoken to fasten clothes, or the buttons, zips etc on clothes: do up something: · Come on then, do up your coat and let's go.· When I walked into the room, Allen was doing up his trousers.do something up: · I can't do this zip up - it's stuck.· Are your shoelaces done up properly?
to fasten something by making a knot: · She tied a scarf around her neck.· Do you know how to tie a bow tie?
also buckle American to fasten your seatbelt in a car: · Eighty percent of motorists now buckle up, studies show. · Nancy got behind the wheel and buckled up.· The new law will require passengers in the rear seats of automobiles to buckle their seatbelts.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
· He hit the alarm button under the desk.
(=used to emphasize how easy a machine is to use) Files can be attached to your email at the push of a button.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB Files can be attached to your email at the push of a button.· Deliberately, Madeleine had selected a dress to wear which buttoned down the front to the waist.· He was a crew-cut Harvard man with sleeves rolled up and collar buttoned down.
· She got up from the bed, buttoned up her nightshirt and went to the door.· If that forecast holds true, Perot will also succeed in buttoning up the election for Clinton.· An old woman emerges from a shack behind the cantina, buttoning up a torn housedress.· Molly had buttoned up the braces on Jacqueline's trousers and found her youngest child a biscuit when she heard the screams.· My father buttoned up the isinglass windows of the Model hoisted Doris and me on to the high backseat.· He saw that her coat was buttoned up wrong.· He buttoned up his Marine coat and walked down Prospect Avenue to where his Baby was parked.
NOUN· It was a drizzling spring afternoon and I paused on the steps to button my coat.· He buttoned up his Marine coat and walked down Prospect Avenue to where his Baby was parked.· Within a few minutes of this treatment being given, he was able to button up his coat.· I adjusted my tie and buttoned up the coat which, a little while later, I would be unbuttoning.· She makes a motion to button my coat, but I am already starting down the path.
· It is dark outside and I button my jacket.· No - he was buttoning his jacket in a purposeful manner, and they were about to leave the scene.· I was buttoning my jacket when the little peer returned.
· Scientists and engineers have buttoned their lip, and crossed their fingers that the reckoning wouldn't come in their own day.
· He wears a working man's checked shirt, buttoned up to the neck.· He is wearing shoes, and his shirt cuffs are buttoned.· The prisoner wore a checked shirt buttoned to the top.· Models, walking between the rows of chairs in a sterile white room, wore shirts buttoned to the neck.
VERB· The geeky suitor lost, which pushes the wrong buttons.· This can only be because there is something about Twinkies that pushes buttons in us that other junk foods do not.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1 (also button up) to fasten clothes with buttons, or to be fastened with buttons: - She was as bright as a button.
- Some of them are frail physically but are as bright as a button in their minds.
- And why have governments in the region not pressed the panic button?
- Derby County chairman Brian Fearn has refused to push the panic button after Tranmere's 2-1 win.
- Between these two displays are the rotary encoder control and four push buttons.
- But, as you know, with the K858 you have the advantage of push buttons.
- Five push buttons take care of the full-speed play, half-speed play, record, instrument distortion and stop options.
- Subtle it ain t, but for big-band fans, it pushes all the buttons.
- The destabilizing effect will push buttons and force changes.
- The geeky suitor lost, which pushes the wrong buttons.
- This can only be because there is something about Twinkies that pushes buttons in us that other junk foods do not.
- When your words are likely to push his buttons, use anticipation.
- A reset button is also provided, which is pressed if the charging light fails to illuminate.
- A reset button may be used to cancel operation and a further pushbutton switch used to trigger the unit at any time.
- For security, the reset switch is situated in a secret place and may be key-operated.
- Is it possible to list a program after resetting the game with a reset switch? 2.
- Simply press the reset button twice and the machine boots up into the diagnostic routine.
- You should find that you can change the output states by pressing the appropriate set or reset switch.
- A customer uses her remote control to shop different channels with the touch of a button.
- An oil dispensing massage head dispenses oil at the touch of a button to give a smooth, drag free massage.
- At the touch of a button a huge gate opens and I am confined in a small area between fences.
- At the touch of a button they can still be made to disappear.
- Jet start operates for 30 seconds at the touch of a button.
- Letters, words or whole lines can be deleted and new texts inserted at the touch of a button.
- Up to ten needles can be operated separately by computer programme producing endless designs and colourways at the touch of a button.
- You can add categories and recipes at the touch of a button.
Sam, make sure Nina buttons up her jacket.2button it! British English, button your lip/mouth! American English spoken used to tell someone in a rude way to stop talking