WordLens

shut up

1 of 3verb
/ˈʃʌt ˈʌp/
Forms:shuts up,shutting up,shut up,shut up
1

to stop talking and be quiet

  • As soon as the movie started, the audience gradually shut up.
  • The room shut up completely as soon as the lights went out.
  • During the tense moment, everyone in the courtroom slowly shut up.
  • The classroom shut up instantly when the teacher walked in.
  • The laughter gradually shut up as the comedian approached the microphone.
Antonyms:
2

to make someone stop talking

  • The librarian shut up the noisy group in the reading area.
  • The manager shut up the complaining employee with a decisive response.
  • Please shut up the loud music during the meeting.
  • The teacher shut the disruptive students up with a stern look.
  • The manager shut the complaining employee up with a direct response.
Antonyms:
3

to confine something or someone in a way that prevents movement or escape

  • The police officer shut up the suspect in a holding cell for questioning.
  • Please shut the valuables up in the vault before leaving.
  • The security personnel shut up the restricted area to unauthorized personnel.
  • The manager shut up the store during the unexpected power outage.
  • The authorities shut up the crime scene to preserve evidence.