tense up

• Фразовый глагол, используемый для обозначения действия, при котором человек становится напряжённым, скованным или тревожным, часто в ответ на стресс или страх.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of becoming stiff, rigid, or anxious, often in response to stress or fear.

uncountable · intransitive · phrasal, no object

1. Become physically stiffinformal

   To make your muscles tight and stiff, often due to stress, fear, or cold.

   Напрячься

   • He tensed up when he heard the loud noise.
   • She tensed up her shoulders while waiting for the exam results.
   • The cold wind made him tense up his whole body.

   Synonymsbracecontractstiffentighten

   Antonymsloosenrelax

2. Become anxious or nervousinformal

   To become mentally or emotionally stressed, anxious, or unable to relax.

   Напрячься

   • I always tense up before a job interview.
   • She tensed up when the conversation turned to finances.
   • Don't tense up; just take a deep breath and relax.

   Synonymspanictighten up

   Antonymscalmchilldecompressrelaxunwind

Base verbtense