tighten

tighten UK [ˈtaɪt(ə)n] / US or tighten up UK / US verb
Word forms "tighten":
present tense I/you/we/they tighten he/she/it tightens present participle tightening past tense tightened past participle tightened
Word forms "tighten up":
present tense I/you/we/they tighten up
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1) [transitive] to turn something such as a screw or a lid until it is tight and you cannot turn it any more

2)

a) [transitive] to pull something such as a rope or a belt until it is straighter or until it fits more tightly around something

b) [intransitive] if something such as a rope or a chain tightens, it becomes straighter or it fits more tightly around something

3)

a) [intransitive/transitive] if a muscle or a part of your body tightens, or if you tighten it, it becomes hard and stiff, often because you are angry or afraid

Her stomach tightened, anticipating the fight that was to come.

b) [intransitive] if your mouth tightens, or if your lips tighten, your mouth looks narrow because you are angry or annoyed

4) [intransitive] if your hand tightens, or if your fingers tighten, you hold something more tightly

5)

a) [transitive] to make a set of rules stricter or harder to avoid

a bill that will tighten trading rules

tighten control:

The government wants to tighten its control on the press.

b) to make an arrangement for guarding or protecting something more effectively

Security at foreign consulates was tightened after the attack.

•

- tighten your belt

- tighten your grip on something

Phrasal verbs:

- tighten up