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 dough requires no resting as there’s no gluten in it to tighten up.
—
Kat Lieu, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
Rather than allowing e-commerce players to capitalize on existing trade loopholes and exemptions, global countries may instead choose to tighten up their compliance guardrails.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Aug. 2025
The undrafted rookie from Western Michigan played center in spurts during college, but with Aaron Brewer and Liam Eichenberg sidelined by injuries, West has been called into duty and needs to tighten up.
—Omar Kelly
july 28, Miami Herald, 28 July 2025
Suddenly a small bowl of dancing dust appeared on the ground, then began to rise and tighten up.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
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Kat Lieu, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
Rather than allowing e-commerce players to capitalize on existing trade loopholes and exemptions, global countries may instead choose to tighten up their compliance guardrails.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 4 Aug. 2025
The undrafted rookie from Western Michigan played center in spurts during college, but with Aaron Brewer and Liam Eichenberg sidelined by injuries, West has been called into duty and needs to tighten up.
—Omar Kelly
july 28, Miami Herald, 28 July 2025
Suddenly a small bowl of dancing dust appeared on the ground, then began to rise and tighten up.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 23 July 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 21 Aug. 2025.
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