Word: Belt Up
Part of Speech: Phrasal Verb
Basic Meaning: "Belt up" means to stop talking or to be quiet. It is often used as a command to tell someone to be quiet or to not speak anymore.
Usage Instructions:
Informal Context: This phrase is considered informal or slang, so it's best used among friends or in casual situations.
Imperative Form: It is often used in the imperative form, meaning it tells someone to do something.
Example Sentence:
Advanced Usage:
"Belt up" can also imply that someone should stop complaining or arguing, not just talking in general. For example, "After hearing the same complaints for the third time, I told him to belt up."
Word Variants:
Different Meaning:
In another context, "belt" can refer to a strap worn around the waist, or as a verb, it can mean to hit someone or something with force (e.g., "He belted the ball out of the park"). However, in the phrase "belt up," it strictly means to be quiet.
Synonyms:
Be quiet
Shut up (more informal)
Hush
Silence
Idioms and Related Phrasal Verbs:
Shut up: This is a more common synonym and is also an informal way to tell someone to stop talking.
Hold your tongue: This is a more polite way of telling someone to refrain from speaking.
Pipe down: Another informal way to ask someone to be quiet.
Summary:
"Belt up" is an informal phrase used to tell someone to stop talking. It is most suitable for casual conversations and can sometimes be considered a bit rude if used in a serious context.