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

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.

Other rules that will come into force in December are designed to tighten up anti-money laundering requirements and crack down on market manipulation. —

Sean Lee, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 UConn tightened up in the third quarter, forcing the Minutemen to punt from end zone three straight times and was able to take advantage of the field position and take control of the game. —

Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 1 Dec. 2024 The reigning Super Bowl champions entered the short week looking to tighten up after facing criticism for their offensive line play and string of one-score games. —

Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 30 Nov. 2024 Players recognized there were things that needed to be tightened up. —

Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tighten up