transitive verb
, shut′ting- to move (a door, window, lid, etc.) into a position that closes the opening to which it is fitted
- to close by so moving its lid, cover, etc.: shut a cash box, one's eyes, etc.
- to fasten (a door, etc.) securely, as with a bolt or catch
- to close (an opening, passage, container, etc.)
- to prevent or forbid entrance to or exit from; close or bar
- to confine or enclose in a room, cage, building, etc.
- to fold up or bring together the parts of (an umbrella, a book, the mouth, etc.)
- to stop or suspend the operation of (a business, school, etc.)
Origin of shut
Middle English (W Midland) schutten from Old English scyttan from base of sceotan, to cast: see shoot to move to a closed position; be or become shut
closed, fastened, or secured
- the act or time of shutting or closing; close
- the connecting line between two pieces of welded metal
shut Idioms
shut down
- to close by lowering
- to descend and envelop or darken a place: said of night, fog, etc.
- to cease or cause to cease operating; close (a factory, etc.)
- Informal to bring to an end or restrict severely (with on or upon)
shut in
to surround or enclose; hem in
shut of
Dial. rid of; free from
shut off
- to prevent the passage of (electricity, steam, etc.)
- to prevent passage through (a road, faucet, etc.)
- to separate; isolate
shut out
- to deny entrance or admission to; exclude (sound, a view, etc.)
- to prevent (an opposing side or team) from scoring in a game or from winning even one game in a series of games
shut up
- to enclose, confine, or imprison
- to close all the entrances to
- Informal
- to stop or cause to stop talking
- to prevent from speaking or writing freely; silence or censor
