1. to detain someone in conversation, especially when they are trying to leave
Usage: informal

1. the act of detaining someone in conversation against their will
Usage: informal
2. a decorative stitching technique that reinforces edges of fabric
Usage: sewing

Examples

• He kept buttonholing me at the party to discuss his business ideas.
• She was buttonholing every guest about her charity fundraiser.
• I tried to leave the meeting, but my colleague was buttonholing me with questions.
• His constant buttonholing of coworkers made him unpopular in the office.
• The buttonholing around the pocket edges prevented fraying.
• She learned buttonholing techniques in her embroidery class.