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
Defensively, Rhode Island soared in the second half—allowing just three points, forcing key turnovers, and tightening up on third‑down stops.
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Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Bolster or reattach sagging gutters, tighten up screws, and seal any cracks or leaks with gutter sealant.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
Yes, the Buffs tightened up late, and thank goodness.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
The addition of Pep Ljinders to the coaching staff suggests that City are looking to tighten up without the ball.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
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Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Bolster or reattach sagging gutters, tighten up screws, and seal any cracks or leaks with gutter sealant.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
Yes, the Buffs tightened up late, and thank goodness.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025
The addition of Pep Ljinders to the coaching staff suggests that City are looking to tighten up without the ball.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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