button-down
button-down — adjective
1. describes a shirt with small buttons at each collar point so the collar lies fla
describes a shirt with small buttons at each collar point so the collar lies flat against the shirt front.
Minho wore a crisp white button-down shirt to his job interview at the bank.
attributive use: button-down + shirt
The tailor recommended a button-down collar for the casual linen jacket.
Inês prefers button-down shirts because the collar stays flat without a tie.
Arjun bought a navy-blue button-down Oxford shirt for the dinner party.
- buttoned-down
less common variant spelling with the same meaning
- spread-collar
a collar style without button fastenings at the tips
文法句型
button-down + noun (shirt, collar, style)
用法筆記
Can be used before a noun (attributive, 'a button-down shirt') or after a linking verb (predicative, 'the shirt is button-down').
常見錯誤
2. describes a person, workplace, or atmosphere as very formal and traditional, wit
describes a person, workplace, or atmosphere as very formal and traditional, with little openness to new or unconventional ideas.
The law firm's button-down culture discouraged anyone from wearing brightly colored suits.
describing workplace atmosphere: button-down culture
Liam's uncle came from a very button-down family where coats were worn even for breakfast.
Paloma found the old-fashioned bank too button-down for her creative personality.
The investors at the conference were a button-down crowd in dark suits and polished shoes.
- conservative
more general; can apply to politics, values, or personal style
- conventional
focuses on following social norms rather than specifically clothing
- straight-laced
informal; suggests strict adherence to rules and moral codes
- progressive
open to new ideas and change
- unconventional
not bound by traditional norms or expectations
文法句型
button-down + noun (firm, culture, atmosphere, crowd)
用法筆記
This figurative meaning extends from the literal sense of a button-down shirt as formal business attire. It often carries a mildly critical tone.
常見錯誤
button-down — noun
1. a shirt, typically for formal or business wear, with small buttons at the pointe
a shirt, typically for formal or business wear, with small buttons at the pointed ends of the collar that hold the collar flat against the shirt front.
Liam packed three white button-downs for his week-long conference in Chicago.
countable noun: plural 'button-downs'
Abigail bought a pale-blue button-down at the thrift store for her art-school interview.
The dry cleaner pressed Jin’s striped button-down and hung it in a plastic bag.
Nkechi wore a white button-down with her sleeves rolled up on a warm afternoon.
- dress shirt
broader category; any shirt worn with a suit or tie, not necessarily with a button-down collar
- Oxford shirt
a specific casual style often made with a button-down collar
文法句型
a/the + button-down
color + button-down
用法筆記
As a noun, 'button-down' is a shortened form of 'button-down shirt.' It is countable and very common in everyday speech, especially in clothing and fashion contexts.