1. Literally:
* This refers to the act of grasping someone's coat lapel or buttonhole to physically stop them from moving. It's usually done to talk to them, often in a way that's forceful or insistent.
2. Figuratively:
* This meaning extends the physical act to describe stopping someone and engaging them in conversation, usually in a way that's unexpected or unwelcome. It can also mean holding someone's attention in an insistent way to talk to them about something.
Here are some examples:
* Literal: "He buttonholed me in the hallway and wouldn't let me go."
* Figurative: "I was buttonholed by a stranger on the street who wanted to share their life story."
* Figurative: "She buttonholed the manager to complain about the poor service."
The tone of "buttonholing" is usually considered negative. It can imply that someone is being overly persistent, intrusive, or even rude.