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
Once your goal is mapped out, tighten up your focus.
—
Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Phone ‘whack-a-mole’ Others in Olathe want to see the district tighten up its policy around phone use.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
The Kings have to tighten up their game at both ends of the floor.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
The Panthers’ defense tightened up considerably after the first intermission, allowing just four shots on goal in second period after surrendering 10 in the first.
—Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Phone ‘whack-a-mole’ Others in Olathe want to see the district tighten up its policy around phone use.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025
The Kings have to tighten up their game at both ends of the floor.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025
The Panthers’ defense tightened up considerably after the first intermission, allowing just four shots on goal in second period after surrendering 10 in the first.
—Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 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 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share