tighten verb

1 become/make sth firmer/tighter

ADV. fractionally, a little, slightly | convulsively, involuntarily Her fingers tightened convulsively with every jolt she received. | painfully | up Can you tighten up the bolts for me?

VERB + TIGHTEN seem to | feel sth, sense sth He felt his stomach tighten. | make sth His words made her throat tighten.

PREP. about/around/round His hand tightened painfully around her wrist. | on Her grip seemed to tighten on the door handle. | in He saw his father's jaw tighten in irritation. | into His mouth tightened into a thin hard line. | with Her face tightened with pain.

2 make sth more strict

ADV. considerably

VERB + TIGHTEN take steps to Steps were taken to tighten discipline in the school.

PREP. up The law in this area has been tightened up considerably.

You can also check other dicts: tighten (English, 中文解释 ), wordnet sense, Collins Definition

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