Reference > Brewer’s Dictionary > Button-hole.

 Buttons.Button-hole (A). 
CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
 
Button-hole.
 
To button-hole a person. To bore one with conversation. The French have the same locution: Serrer le bouton [à quel qu’un].   1
        “He went about button-holing and boring everyone.”—H. Kingsley: Mathilde.
   To take one down a button-hole. To take one down a peg; to lower one’s conceit.   2
        “Better mind yerselves, or I’ll take ye down a button-hole lower.”—Mrs. B. Stowe: Uncle Tom’s Cabin, iv.
 


 Buttons.Button-hole (A). 

 
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