(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If you ~ your grip on something, or if your grip ~s, you hold the thing more firmly or securely.
Luke answered by ~ing his grip on her shoulder...
Her arms ~ed about his neck in gratitude...
Stefano’s grip ~ed and his tone became colder.
? loosen
VERB: V n, V prep, V
2.
If you ~ a rope or chain, or if it ~s, it is stretched or pulled hard until it is straight.
The anchorman flung his whole weight back, ~ing the rope...
The cables ~ed and he was lifted gradually from the deck.
? slacken
VERB: V n, V
3.
If a government or organization ~s its grip on a group of people or an activity, or if its grip ~s, it begins to have more control over it.
He knows he has considerable support for his plans to ~ his grip on the machinery of central government...
As the regime’s grip on the mainland ~ed over the next few years, hundreds of thousands more people fled south.
VERB: V n, V
4.
When you ~ a screw, nut, or other device, you turn it or move it so that it is more firmly in place or holds something more firmly.
I used my thumbnail to ~ the screw on my lamp...
VERB: V n
•
Tighten up means the same as ~ .
It’s important to ~ up the wheels properly, otherwise they vibrate loose and fall off.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P
5.
If a part of your body ~s, the muscles in it become tense and stiff, for example because you are angry or afraid.
Sofia’s throat had ~ed and she couldn’t speak...
? relax
VERB: V
~ing
...a headache caused by tension which results in ~ing of the muscles in the neck.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
6.
If someone in authority ~s a rule, a policy, or a system, they make it stricter or more efficient.
The United States plans to ~ the economic sanctions currently in place...
Take-off and landing procedures have been ~ed after two jets narrowly escaped disaster.
? relax
VERB: V n, V n
•
Tighten up means the same as ~ .
Until this week, every attempt to ~ up the law had failed...
He accused ministers of breaking election pledges to ~ up on immigration.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P on n, also V n P
~ing
...the ~ing of state control over press and broadcasting.
N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n
7.
to ~ your belt: see belt
to ~ the screw: see screw