ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fasten up

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to close something completely using buttons, a zipper, or a belt.

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


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.

Particles
up
Separability
optional
Pattern
fasten (+ object) + up
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.

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