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
For that, the mayor needs a more robust plan that will probably involve a mix of tightening up and increasing revenues.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
The Jazz scored the first 10 points of the game and led 54-53 at halftime, but the Clippers’ defense tightened up and forced 10 steals and several shot-clock violations.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
To remedy this, DIYers with plumbing experience can tighten up the valve with a set of channel locks, replace the valve, or repair the connection between the valve and the tank by adding plumber's dope or plumber's tape to help improve the seal.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
The Jazz scored the first 10 points of the game and led 54-53 at halftime, but the Clippers defense tightened up and forced 10 steals and several shot clock violations.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
The Jazz scored the first 10 points of the game and led 54-53 at halftime, but the Clippers’ defense tightened up and forced 10 steals and several shot-clock violations.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
To remedy this, DIYers with plumbing experience can tighten up the valve with a set of channel locks, replace the valve, or repair the connection between the valve and the tank by adding plumber's dope or plumber's tape to help improve the seal.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 28 Jan. 2026
The Jazz scored the first 10 points of the game and led 54-53 at halftime, but the Clippers defense tightened up and forced 10 steals and several shot clock violations.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
Cite this Entry
“Tighten up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tighten%20up. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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