# shut up

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shut-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to stop talking or to make someone else be quiet. You should use this carefully because it can sound very rude or angry.

For teachers: to cease speaking or to silence another person. It is frequently used as an imperative and is marked by a high degree of informality and potential rudeness.

## Examples

- Please just shut up and let me finish.
- The children were making so much noise that their father finally told them to shut up.
- Although the politician tried to shut up his critics with a series of legal threats, the scandal continued to dominate the headlines for weeks.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He shutted up when the boss arrived." but "He shut up when the boss arrived." — The verb 'shut' is irregular and does not change form in the past tense.

## Usage notes

- often used as a blunt command and can be offensive depending on the relationship between speakers.
- Teaching tip: mention that in very informal American English, 'Shut up!' can express surprise or disbelief, similar to 'No way!'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.