buttoned up
Formally dressed, reserved
Buttoned up describes someone or something formal, restrained, and tightly controlled.
A buttoned-up executive reveals little emotion; a buttoned-up organization follows rigid procedures.
The image is of clothing fastened to the collar—nothing loose, nothing exposed.
The phrase can also mean finalized or secured: We got the deal buttoned up by Friday.
Wary and restrained
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
private · secretive · unforthcoming · taciturn · withdrawn · aloof · cagey · closed-off
Showing extreme attention to detail
- thoroughComplete in every detail
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- preciseExactly correct, no error
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
detail-oriented · prepared · airtight · watertight · foolproof · secured · finalized · locked down
Matched formal garments
- blazerSemiformal tailored jacket
- necktieKnotted collar ornament
- dress shirtFormal button-up top
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
corporate · tailored · polished · pinstripe · boardroom · executive · slacks · businesswear
guarded
Wary and restrained
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- uncommunicativeUnwilling to share thoughts
- tight-lippedUnwilling to divulge
discreet · private · secretive · unforthcoming · taciturn · withdrawn · aloof · cagey · closed-off · evasive
meticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
- thoroughComplete in every detail
- systematicFollowing ordered procedures
- preciseExactly correct, no error
methodical · detail-oriented · prepared · airtight · watertight · foolproof · secured · finalized · locked down · shipshape
suit
Matched formal garments
- blazerSemiformal tailored jacket
- necktieKnotted collar ornament
- dress shirtFormal button-up top
professional · corporate · tailored · polished · pinstripe · boardroom · executive · slacks · businesswear · briefcase
- Clothing Stylestucked in, untucked, front tuck, rolled sleeves, fitted
- clothing idiomsfit like a glove, dressed to the nines, dressed to kill, wear the pants, caught with pants down
- appearance idiomsall dolled up, dolled up, done up, dressed to kill, dressed to the nines
- finisheddone, completed, finished, complete, ended
buttoned upunbuttoned
Freed from fasteners
open · unfastened · loose · undone · untucked
buttoned upopen
Not closed
expressive · uninhibited · free-spirited · loose · laid-back
buttoned upunfinished
Not yet complete
incomplete · loose · unresolved · unsettled · open-ended
button, buttons, buttoned, unbuttoned, buttoning, buttonhole, button up, unbuttoning, buttonholes