Buttonholed: meaning, definitions and examples
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buttonholed
[ ˈbʌtənhoʊld ]
informal situation
To 'buttonhole' someone means to engage them in a conversation and often make it difficult for them to escape or leave. Typically, this term is used in informal contexts where one person might monopolize another's time by forcing an unexpected dialogue. The term suggests a sense of urgency or insistence on talking, possibly causing inconvenience to the other party. It's often used in political or social settings where one might seek a moment to discuss important points.
Synonyms
cornered, detained, held, trapped.
Examples of usage
- He buttonholed the politician to discuss his concerns.
- I tried to leave the party, but she buttonholed me with her stories.
- During the meeting, he buttonholed the manager for advice.
- At the event, he buttonholed several guests for networking.
Translations
Translations of the word "buttonholed" in other languages:
🇵🇹 abordado
🇮🇳 बातचीत करना
🇩🇪 angesprochen
🇮🇩 dihubungi
🇺🇦 перехоплений
🇵🇱 zatrzymany
🇯🇵 口説き落とされる
🇫🇷 interpellé
🇪🇸 abordado
🇹🇷 konuşmaya zorlanmış
🇰🇷 붙잡힌
🇸🇦 تم التحدث معه
🇨🇿 osloveno
🇸🇰 oslovil
🇨🇳 被拦住
🇸🇮 nagovorjen
🇮🇸 móttekinn
🇰🇿 сұралған
🇬🇪 მოაყოლა
🇦🇿 mübarizə aparılan
🇲🇽 abordado
Etymology
The term 'buttonhole' originates from the practice of seizing someone by the buttonhole of their coat, a common garment feature in earlier centuries, to prevent them from leaving. This action symbolically represents a continuous interaction that is hard to escape. It is derived from a combination of 'button', which relates to the fastening device used in clothing, and 'hole', referring to the slot in which the button is placed. The earliest recorded use of 'buttonhole' in this figurative sense dates back to the late 19th century, as social interactions became more complex and people sought to secure others' attention for discussion. Initially, it was more about physical restraint in conversation, but over time, the meaning evolved into a broader social context, highlighting both the tenacity of the person initiating the conversation and the irritation it might cause the one who is cornered.