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
The Longhorns will have to tighten up their defense after two lackadaisical efforts.
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Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
In December, the Lords set up a committee to look at introducing a retirement age of 80 and tightening up the participation requirement.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
So just tightening up the command.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Typically about three nights in the -15 to -20 degree range with highs around 0 degrees will tighten up the west end.
—David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
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Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
In December, the Lords set up a committee to look at introducing a retirement age of 80 and tightening up the participation requirement.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
So just tightening up the command.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Typically about three nights in the -15 to -20 degree range with highs around 0 degrees will tighten up the west end.
—David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 2026.
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