tighten up

• Verbo compuesto que se usa para indicar la acción de aumentar la seguridad, el rigor o la solidez de algo, así como para mejorar la eficiencia o la disciplina.

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of making something more secure, strict, or firm, or improving efficiency or discipline.

incontable · transitivo e intransitivo · phrasal, separable

1. Make more secure or firmformal

   To make something more tight, secure, or firmly fixed.

   apretar, reforzar

   • He tightened up the screws on the shelf.
   • You need to tighten up the rope so it doesn't slip.
   • The mechanic tightened up the bolts on the engine.

   Sinónimosanchorbraceclampfastenreinforcesecurestiffenstrengthentauten

   Antónimosloosenrelax

2. Improve or make stricterformal

   To make rules, procedures, or standards more strict or effective.

   endurecer / hacer más estrictas

   • The company tightened up its security policies after the breach.
   • The government plans to tighten up regulations on pollution.
   • We need to tighten up our quality control process.

   Sinónimosreinforcestiffenstrengthentoughen

   Antónimoseaseloosenrelax

3. Become tense or nervousinformal

   To become physically or emotionally tense, often due to stress or fear.

   ponerse tenso

   • He tightened up when he heard the strange noise.
   • She tends to tighten up before public speaking.
   • Don't tighten up; just relax and breathe deeply.

   Sinónimoschokeclenchfreezestiffentense up

   Antónimoscalmloosenrelaxunwind

Verbo basetighten