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 conversation veered into an assessment of how much is put on an NFL quarterback and how many obstacles appear — especially in the postseason, when games tighten up and every play can feel monumental.
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Michael Silver, New York Times, 20 May 2025
In the 13th century, the papacy was vacant for almost three years before the election of Gregory X, who tightened up conclave rules.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Post-match violence was anticipated by authorities, so security was tightened up for the event with 5,400 police officers deployed on the Champs-Élysées, other key parts of Paris, and its nearby suburbs.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
The Pacers finished the year 50-32, tightening up their defense in the process.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
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Michael Silver, New York Times, 20 May 2025
In the 13th century, the papacy was vacant for almost three years before the election of Gregory X, who tightened up conclave rules.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 2 May 2025
Post-match violence was anticipated by authorities, so security was tightened up for the event with 5,400 police officers deployed on the Champs-Élysées, other key parts of Paris, and its nearby suburbs.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
The Pacers finished the year 50-32, tightening up their defense in the process.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 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 28 Jun. 2025.
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