loosen
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
loosens;
loosened;
loosening
loosens;
loosened;
loosening
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOOSEN
1
a
[+ object]
:
to make (something) less tight or firm
:
to make (something) loose or looser
— sometimes used figuratively
-
He used a spade to loosen the soil.
-
She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan.
-
loosen a screw
-
After eating so much I had to loosen my belt.
-
When the meeting was over he loosened his tie.
-
She loosened her grip/hold on the rope. [=she began to hold the rope less tightly]
-
He has loosened his grip/hold on the company.
b
[no object]
:
to become less tight or firm
:
to become loose or looser
-
One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened.
-
Her grip loosened.
2
:
to become or to cause (something) to become less strict
[+ object]
-
We want to loosen (up) the controls/restrictions that the law has imposed.
-
Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior.
[no object]
-
Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere.
loosen someone's tongue
:
to cause someone to talk more freely
:
to cause someone to say things that would not usually be said
-
Drinking alcohol can loosen your tongue.
loosen up
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to make or become less tense
:
relax
-
He loosens up by exercising.
-
After a couple of drinks she had loosened up and was talking freely.
-
He seemed nervous and his friends kept telling him to loosen up.
2
loosen (someone or something) up
or
loosen up (someone or something)
:
to cause (someone or something) to relax
-
He exercises to loosen up his muscles. [=he exercises so that his muscles are not stiff]
-
I tried to loosen her up [=I tried to get her to relax and feel comfortable] by telling a few jokes.
