English · Greetings & Phrases

shut up

/ʃʌt ʌp/

[/ʃʌt ʌp/]

stop talking

Beginnerverb

Definition

To stop talking or be quiet. It can sound rude unless said playfully among friends.

Example

Please be quiet — telling someone to shut up can be rude.

Please be quiet — telling someone to shut up can be rude.

Etymology

From 'shut' plus 'up', originally meaning to close something completely, later applied to the mouth.

How & Where It’s Used

Informal and can be impolite; use with care.

Watch “stop talking” pronunciation on YouTube
phrasal-verb

Related Terms