tighten up
phrasal verb
tightened up; tightening up; tightens up
: to become more strict or effective or to make (something) more strict or effective
Security around the building has tightened up recently.
They tightened up security around the building.
Examples of tighten up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Melton, who had issues with his back all last season, had his mid-back tighten up Tuesday morning, so the team sat him out of caution.
—
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
When Bailey’s side tightened up, Casali was prepared to step in.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
The Spurs will need to tighten up defensively and find a way to slow down a Knicks team that's firing on all cylinders.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
So, her first instinct was to tighten up and be prepared.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
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Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
When Bailey’s side tightened up, Casali was prepared to step in.
—Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
The Spurs will need to tighten up defensively and find a way to slow down a Knicks team that's firing on all cylinders.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
So, her first instinct was to tighten up and be prepared.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tighten up
Dictionary Entries Near tighten up
Cite this Entry
“Tighten up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten%20up. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
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