English Reference

Phrasal verb

fasten up

Definition

phrasal verb. to close something completely using buttons, a zipper, or a belt.

phrasal verb. to secure a garment or container by closing all fasteners; often implies a sense of completion or protection against the elements.

Examples

“Fasten up your coat before you go outside.”

“It is so cold today that you should fasten up your jacket all the way to the top.”

“The hikers paused to fasten up their waterproof gear as the first heavy drops of the storm began to fall.”

Examples

simple

“Fasten up your coat before you go outside.”

contextual

“It is so cold today that you should fasten up your jacket all the way to the top.”

complex

“The hikers paused to fasten up their waterproof gear as the first heavy drops of the storm began to fall.”

Usage

commonly used with items of clothing like coats, jackets, or bags.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'do up', which is more common in British English; 'fasten up' sounds slightly more deliberate or formal than 'zip up' or 'button up'.

Pitfall

Fasten up you your shoes.

Fasten up your shoes.

the verb is often used with 'up' to show completion, but the object must follow the phrase or sit between the verb and particle.

Phrasal verb

Particles

up

Separability

optional

Pattern

fasten (+ object) + up

Synonyms

do upzip upbutton upclose

Antonyms

undounfastenopen

Grammar

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/fasten-up

English Reference