fasten
close or secure something
To close or lock something so it stays shut or does not move.
to fasten [something]; to fasten [something] with [something]
- Please fasten your seat belt before we take off.
- It’s cold outside, so fasten your coat properly.
- She fastened the door and checked the lock twice.
- Make sure the lid is firmly fastened before you lift the box.
- The child can’t fasten his shoes by himself yet.
- Fasten your seat belt, please.
- He fastened the door at night.
- She fastened her bag with a small lock.
- I can’t fasten this button.
- Fasten the box so it does not open.
attach something firmly to something
To join or fix one thing to another so it stays there strongly.
to fasten [something] to [something]
- They fastened the shelves to the wall with heavy-duty brackets.
- Please fasten the rope to the tree so the boat doesn’t drift away.
- The label is fastened to the suitcase with a plastic loop.
- You should fasten the cables to the back of the desk to keep them tidy.
- The tent is fastened to the ground with metal pegs.
- Fasten the picture to the wall with tape.
- He fastened the rope to the boat.
- She fastened the sign to the door.
- They fastened the table legs to the top.
- Fasten the wire to the back of the TV.
fix eyes or attention on something
To look at or think about one thing very strongly and not move your eyes or mind away from it.
to fasten [eyes/attention/gaze] on/upon [something]
- Her eyes fastened on the strange mark on the wall.
- The audience fastened their attention on the speaker’s every word.
- His gaze fastened upon the envelope lying on the table.
- Reporters quickly fastened on a single mistake in the report.
- The child’s interest fastened on the moving shadows.
- Her eyes fastened on the red car.
- The students fastened their attention on the teacher.
- His gaze fastened upon the open door.
- My mind fastened on that one sentence.
- The baby’s eyes fastened on the bright light.
- Base: fasten
- 3rd Person Singular: fastens
- Present Participle: fastening
- Past: fastened
fasten on
1focus strongly on one thing
To give strong attention to one thing, often too much, and not think about other things. Often used about criticism or problems.
- The media fastened on his one careless comment.
- In their report, they fastened on the company’s past mistakes.
fasten something on someone
1unfairly place blame on someone
To make it seem that someone is responsible for something bad, especially when this is not true or not completely fair.
- They tried to fasten the responsibility for the failure on the new manager.
- The scandal was unfairly fastened on a single employee.
fasten together
1join things securely together
To connect two or more things so they stay joined and do not come apart.
- Fasten the two pieces together with glue and screws.
- The panels are fastened together to form one long wall.
fasten up
1close clothes with buttons or zip
To close clothes, bags, or similar things by using buttons, a zip, or something similar.
- It’s cold outside; fasten up your coat.
- She fastened up her dress before leaving the house.
fasten your seat belt
1get ready for something intense
Get ready for something that may be difficult, exciting, or have a lot of changes, often used jokingly or to warn people.
- Fasten your seat belt—this meeting is going to be long and painful.
- Fasten your seat belt, because the next few months at work are going to be very busy.