adjective
- Caught or trapped in a buttonhole; fastened or held by a buttonhole.
Usage: Often used figuratively to describe being trapped in conversation or a difficult situation.
verb
- Past tense of buttonhole; to stop and detain someone in conversation, typically against their will.
- Past tense of buttonhole; to make a buttonhole in fabric.
Usage: Informal; commonly used in British English.
Usage: Sewing or tailoring context.
Examples
- He buttonhooked me at the party and talked my ear off for an hour.
- She felt buttonhooked by the salesman who wouldn't let her leave the store.
- The tailor buttonhooked the edges of the coat to prevent fraying.
- I got buttonhooked into attending the meeting I wanted to skip.
- He buttonhooked several guests to discuss his new business idea.
- The seamstress carefully buttonhooked each opening on the dress.