butt up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "butt up" can be used in written English and is a common colloquial expression. It means to come into contact or align closely with something, often in a rough or forceful manner. Example: The two houses butt up against each other, leaving no space for a fence. Here, the phrase "butt up" is used to describe how the houses are positioned, suggesting that they are very close together and possibly even touching.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's where you butt up against other people's rights".

The New York Times

"Are people still going to butt up against local interests?

The New York Times

Preservation and access are going to butt up against each other all the time".

The New York Times

A little repression might be good for artists, giving them something to butt up against.

The New York Times - Arts

He then called his son and partner, Robert, and said, Get your butt up here.

The New York Times

You can stand if you want, but keep your head down and butt up.

The Guardian - Travel

When you butt up against capitalism in that way, it leaves a scar that stays.

The Guardian - Books

Shrinking school budgets could butt up against the pressure for advanced technology.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, biological matters tend to butt up against bureaucratic ones more often in office fiction written by women.

The New Yorker

More sculptural than painterly, his colors butt up against each other and at times overlap, but each retains its integrity.

The New York Times

Some pension funds are also concerned that they will butt up against the limits if they have to calculate positions this way.There are some odd omissions, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "butt up" to describe physical proximity, ensure that the context clearly indicates the touching or adjacency of the items being described. For example, "The fence posts butt up against each other for added strength."

Common error

Avoid using "butt up" in overly formal contexts where a more sophisticated vocabulary is needed; consider using more precise terms like "adjoin" or "interface" for professional environments.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "butt up" functions primarily to indicate physical contact or adjacency, often describing how two objects or ideas meet or come into close proximity. Ludwig shows various instances, from houses "butting up" against dunes to colors "butting up" against each other.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "butt up" is a common expression used to describe either physical adjacency or conceptual confrontation. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, with examples ranging from houses to abstract ideas. While generally grammatically correct, it's important to consider the register, avoiding its use in overly formal settings where more precise language would be more appropriate. The alternative phrases like ""abut"" and ""come up against"" can provide more specific meanings depending on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abut

Describes physical contact or bordering, emphasizing spatial relationship.

adjoin

Similar to 'abut', but may imply a more formal or planned connection.

come up against

Indicates encountering an obstacle or challenge, similar to confronting something.

be up against

Highlights facing difficulties or challenges, similar to opposing forces.

press against

Emphasizes the act of applying force while being in contact.

collide with

Suggests a forceful impact or disagreement when two things meet.

face off against

Suggests direct opposition or confrontation in a competitive context.

lean on

Implies reliance or dependence for support, metaphorical or physical.

run into

Describes an unexpected encounter, often with difficulties or opposition.

meet

Simple and general term indicating a connection or intersection of elements.

FAQs

What does "butt up against" mean?

The phrase "butt up against" means to be or come into direct contact with something, often implying a physical boundary or limitation. It can also mean to face opposition or encounter a challenge.

How can I use "butt up" in a sentence?

You can use "butt up" in sentences like: "The property line caused the two gardens to "abut" each other" or "Our plans "come up against" unexpected regulations."

What's the difference between "butt up against" and ""come up against""?

"Butt up against" often implies physical contact or immediate proximity, while ""come up against"" more frequently refers to facing challenges, obstacles, or opposition.

Are there more formal alternatives to "butt up"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use more formal alternatives like "adjoin", ""abut"", "interface", or "meet" for a more professional tone.