The world is filled with buttons ! Some buttons we press -- such as the ones needed to operate a vehicle or machinery . Some buttons fasten our clothes . They keep are shirts closed and our pants from falling down . In English , the word “button ” is found in many useful and common expressions . Let's talk about the kinds of buttons you press or push . Young children like to push buttons – even if nothing happens . There is something very satisfying about pushing a button . Well , did you know that people have buttons too ? However , these buttons are not physical things . Our buttons activate or trigger our feelings . They are things to which we feel sensitive . So , some unkind people may find it satisfying to push people's buttons . If you push someone's buttons , you do something or talk about something that upsets them . Button-pushers like to upset people by bringing up sore subjects . For example , a woman I used to know always tried to push my buttons by bringing up an old boyfriend . But then finally , I told her I did not not care . After that , she stopped trying to push the old boyfriend button . However , pushing someone's buttons can also happen accidentally . Sometimes we don't mean to , but we can bring up an issue that is touchy to someone else . Now , let's talk about the kind of buttons on clothing . As you know already , buttons are fasteners on our clothes . They keep them shut . Well , imagine if our mouths had buttons . We could fasten them shut to keep silent . And that gives us some impolite expressions . They all mean to be quiet . If I tell someone to button their mouth , button their lip or to simply button it , I am telling them to shut up . Like I said , the expressions are rude . But there is another way we use “button ” in our conversations . For a button on our clothing to work , it needs a buttonhole . Otherwise , you can't fasten them . A buttonhole traps the button . So , if you buttonhole someone in a conversation , you trap them . Like a button that has slipped into a buttonhole , they cannot escape . Now , you can buttonhole someone with a fun topic . But usually , we use this term when someone talks to you for a long time about something you don't want to hear . If you are buttonholed over an unpleasant topic , you can also say that someone had you cornered . Now , let's hear some of these terms used between two friends . Where have you been ? I've been looking all over for you . Have you tried the cake ? It is SO good . I haven't had anything to eat or drink yet ! Jen had me buttonholed for an hour about her work project . A party is NOT the place to corner someone about work . And she knows I wanted to work on that project . Really not cool ! She just wants to push your buttons . And you're too nice to tell her to button it . Are you still upset about the project ? No , I'm over it . And I told her . I also told her that I don't want to talk about work anymore at a party . Not caring is the best way to deal with a button-pusher . Look over there . Now she's got David buttonholed . But he can take care of himself . Now , where is that cake you were talking about ?