buckle

Everyday

1. A buckle is a metal or plastic clip on a belt, strap or shoe that fastens two ends together. tree →
2. To buckle is to fasten with a buckle: «Buckle your seat belt.» tree →
3. If something buckles, it bends, crumples or collapses under weight or heat. tree →
4. If your knees buckle, they suddenly bend because you are weak or scared. tree →
5. (informal) To buckle down is to start working hard; to buckle under is to give in. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons, «buckle up» means fasten your seat belt every time in the car. In science and engineering, beams and bridges can buckle under too much weight or heat (railway tracks in summer). In stories, a character's knees buckle from fear. Phrases: «buckle up», «buckle your belt», «buckle down», «buckle under pressure».

Examples

• Buckle up — we're leaving! tree →
• My shoes have shiny silver buckles. tree →
• He buckled his belt. tree →
• The bridge buckled under the weight of the trucks. tree →
• The heat made the train tracks buckle. tree →
• Her knees buckled when she saw the spider. tree →
• It's time to buckle down and study for the test. tree →
• The pirate wore a hat and boots with buckles. tree →
• "Ha! ha! ha! you make me laugh so that I can scarcely buckle the saddle-straps. tree →

Note

Verb + up/down/under change the meaning. Safety: children should sit in a car seat or booster with the seat belt buckled until they are tall enough. Related: unbuckle.