buckle up


buckle up

1. To anchor or fasten something or someone in place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "buckle" and "up." Are the bikes securely buckled up? Can you please buckle the baby up in her highchair?2. To anchor or fasten oneself or another in place with a seatbelt, as in a vehicle. A noun or pronoun can be used between "buckle" and "up." Can you buckle the baby up while I put our bags in the trunk? This car is not moving until everyone is buckled up!3. To bend at the waist. She keeps buckling up and clutching her stomach, so the pain must be pretty bad—let's take her to the doctor.4. slang Prepare for what is about to happen, such as danger, excitement, trouble, etc. The boss is in a terrible mood today, so buckle up! Buckle up, folks. This game is going down to the wire!See also: buckle, up

buckle someone or something up

to attach someone or something securely with straps that buckle together. (This emphasizes the completeness and secureness of the act.) Buckle the children up before we leave. Buckle up your shoes.See also: buckle, up

buckle up

 and belt upto buckle one's seat belt, as in a car or plane. Please buckle up so our flight can begin. I wish you would obey the law and belt up.See also: buckle, up

buckle up

Fasten a seat belt, as in All the children must learn to buckle up as soon as they get in a car. This term came into wide use in the second half of the 1900s, when seat belts became mandatory automobile equipment. Earlier they had been used mainly in airplanes. See also: buckle, up

buckle up

v.1. To secure something or someone with straps that fasten together with buckles: Buckle up your shoes. We buckled the baby up in its car seat.2. To fasten one's seat belt: The first thing I did when I got on the plane was to buckle up.3. To bend or fold in half at the middle: Everyone buckled up with laughter when they heard my jokes.See also: buckle, up