as in to quiet (down)
to stop talking
the schoolboy ordered his mates to belt up about the prank
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of belt up
The evening’s co-main event bout between Raymond Ford and Thomas Mattice also has a belt up for grabs.
—
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Going back home Sunday looks nice, except for the Lake Effect Snow belt up in New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
So getting some of those at-bats under his belt up here will be part of that.
—Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022
Canelo Alvarez of Mexico (57-1-2, 39 KOs) steps back into the ring to try and conquer yet another weight class, this time putting on several pounds for a matchup against current WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol of Russia (19-0, 11 KOs) who is putting his belt up for grabs in this bout.
—oregonlive, 7 May 2022
Designed to attach to a belt up to 2½ inches wide or to a PALS system, the pouch comes very close to duplicating the performance of an OWB holster.
—Mike Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2020
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Going back home Sunday looks nice, except for the Lake Effect Snow belt up in New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
—Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024
So getting some of those at-bats under his belt up here will be part of that.
—Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022
Canelo Alvarez of Mexico (57-1-2, 39 KOs) steps back into the ring to try and conquer yet another weight class, this time putting on several pounds for a matchup against current WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol of Russia (19-0, 11 KOs) who is putting his belt up for grabs in this bout.
—oregonlive, 7 May 2022
Designed to attach to a belt up to 2½ inches wide or to a PALS system, the pouch comes very close to duplicating the performance of an OWB holster.
—Mike Dickerson, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for belt up
Verb
-
When circulation is blocked, liquidity dries up, stagnation sets in, and economic depression can follow.—
Jeff Mayhugh,
Washington Post,
5 Jan. 2026
-
The goals dried up for Mohamed Salah before the Africa Cup of Nations, and Cody Gakpo's form has left many supporters wishing that Luis Diaz hadn't been sold to Bayern Munich.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
My parents taught me how to shut up and listen.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
26 Dec. 2025
-
But according to two top tech CEOs, the customers actually paying the bills—like a heavy equipment manufacturer in the Midwest—are asking the tech industry to shut up about the hype and show them the receipts.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Then, after Austin Jackson sustained his season-ending knee injury in early November in Miami’s loss to the Bills , the Dolphins run game clammed up.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
29 July 2025
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Although that doesn’t account for those opposite behaviors (e.g., clamming up).—
Caleb Harris,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
The vibe is hushed and calming.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
13 Oct. 2025
-
McIlroy would hush the USA crowd after putts, while Reed would bow to their applause.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Belt up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/belt%20up. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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