shut up
The phrase "shut up" is often used to command silence, but it can also have other meanings depending on the context.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B1Everyday Conversation
(informal, impolite)A forceful command to stop talking or making noise.
Example
- He told his little brother to shut up during the movie.
- Please shut up and listen to me.
B2Informal Exclamation
(informal)An expression of disbelief or amazement.
Example
- Shut up! That's incredible news!
- You won the lottery? Shut up!
C1Historical/Literary
(dated, literary)To confine or imprison someone.
Example
- The villain threatened to shut up the hero in the dungeon.
- She was shut up in a tower for years.
C1Business
(dated)To close a business or establishment.
Example
- They decided to shut up shop after 20 years in business.
- The old factory was shut up and left abandoned.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shut up":
shit uphush upshut the doorshut downshit offshut up shopshut offpipe downshut outshut awayfuck offkeep quietshut inquiet downspeak upclose downput up the shutters