buckle

A metal or plastic fitting that holds a belt or strap closed.

• The buckle on my belt broke.
• Her shoes have small silver buckles.
• Push the two parts together until the buckle clicks.

Similar words: clasp, fastener

Common phrases: belt buckle, silver buckle, plastic buckle

A bend or bulge in something that should be straight or flat.

• The blade has a buckle.
• Heat caused a slight buckle in the metal sheet.
• Several buckles appeared along the damaged rail.

Similar words: bend, kink, bulge

Common phrases: a slight buckle, a visible buckle

To close or secure a belt or strap with its metal or plastic fitting.

• Please buckle your seatbelt.
• She buckled the straps on her bag.
• Have you buckled the child’s safety belt?

How to use it: buckle something up (Buckle your helmet strap up before riding.)

Similar words: fasten

Opposites: unbuckle

Common phrases: buckle a belt, buckle your seatbelt, buckle up

To bend or collapse because of pressure, weight, or heat.

• The metal began to buckle.
• The roof buckled under the heavy snow.
• His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground.

How to use it: buckle under something (The shelf buckled under the weight of the books.)

Similar words: give way, collapse

Common phrases: buckle under pressure, buckle under weight

To stop resisting because a situation becomes too difficult or stressful.

• He refused to buckle.
• The team buckled under the pressure of the final match.
• After weeks of threats, the manager finally buckled.

How to use it: buckle under something (She refused to buckle under pressure from her boss.)

Similar words: give in, yield

Opposites: resist

Common phrases: buckle under pressure, refuse to buckle