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
Dallas was far from perfect in its own zone against the Avalanche, but tightened up in Round 2.
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The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 20 May 2025
However, the biggest unit that needs to tighten up — figuratively and literally — is the offensive line.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
The leaderboard at the PGA Championship is tightening up on moving day at Quail Hollow as some of the biggest names in golf start to get into the mix.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
The Panthers’ defense, which surrendered 13 goals through the first three games of the series, tightened up and allowed only 23 shots.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
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The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 20 May 2025
However, the biggest unit that needs to tighten up — figuratively and literally — is the offensive line.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
The leaderboard at the PGA Championship is tightening up on moving day at Quail Hollow as some of the biggest names in golf start to get into the mix.
—Troy Finnegan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
The Panthers’ defense, which surrendered 13 goals through the first three games of the series, tightened up and allowed only 23 shots.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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