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 Cowboys shot 51% from the field and 14 for 30 (47%) from 3-point range, offsetting 17 turnovers in a game that tightened up in the second half and stayed that way until the final minute.
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Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
But in the second period, Hellebuyck tightened up, turning away several scoring chances as the Jets killed three Avs power plays and the crowd buzzed off of Manson’s fight with Pearson.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025
The Celtics, who played nearly half of the game without a traditional center on the floor, also tightened up their rebounding after halftime, surrendering just three offensive boards in each of the final two quarters.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Girandole, long a fixture for date nights and power breakfasts, remains the social centerpiece, but has tightened up the Parisian brasserie vibe with the help of French super-chef Alain Ducasse (it’s now called Girandole by Alain Ducasse).
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025
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Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
But in the second period, Hellebuyck tightened up, turning away several scoring chances as the Jets killed three Avs power plays and the crowd buzzed off of Manson’s fight with Pearson.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2025
The Celtics, who played nearly half of the game without a traditional center on the floor, also tightened up their rebounding after halftime, surrendering just three offensive boards in each of the final two quarters.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
Girandole, long a fixture for date nights and power breakfasts, remains the social centerpiece, but has tightened up the Parisian brasserie vibe with the help of French super-chef Alain Ducasse (it’s now called Girandole by Alain Ducasse).
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025
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 25 Dec. 2025.
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