Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

3 VERB If a government or organization tightens its grip on a group of people or an activity, or if its grip tightens , it begins to have more control over it. □ [V n] He plans to tighten his grip on the machinery of central government. □ [V ] As the regime's grip on the mainland tightened, hundreds of thousands of people fled.

4 VERB When you tighten a screw, nut, or other device, you turn it or move it so that it is more firmly in place or holds something more firmly. □ [V n] I used my thumbnail to tighten the screw on my lamp. ● PHRASAL VERB Tighten up means the same as tighten . □ [V P n] It's important to tighten up the wheels properly, otherwise they vibrate loose and fall off. [Also V n P ]

5 VERB If a part of your body tightens , the muscles in it become tense and stiff, for example because you are angry or afraid. □ [V ] Sofia's throat had tightened and she couldn't speak. ●  tight|en|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a headache caused by tension which results in tightening of the muscles in the neck.

6 VERB If someone in authority tightens a rule, a policy, or a system, they make it stricter or more efficient. □ [V n] The Government plans to tighten the economic sanctions currently in place. □ [be V -ed] Take-off and landing procedures have been tightened after two jets narrowly escaped disaster. ● PHRASAL VERB Tighten up means the same as tighten . □ [V P n] Until this week, every attempt to tighten up the law had failed. □ [V P + on ] He accused ministers of breaking election pledges to tighten up on immigration. [Also V n P ] ●  tight|en|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the tightening of state control over press and broadcasting.

7to tighten your belt → see belt

8to tighten the screw → see screw

▸  tighten up

1 PHRASAL VERB If a group, team, or organization tightens up , they make an effort to control what they are doing more closely, in order to become more efficient and successful. □ [V P ] I want us to be a bit more sensible this time and tighten up.

2 → see also tighten 4 , tighten 6

ti ght-fi sted ADJ If you describe someone as tight-fisted , you disapprove of them because they are unwilling to spend money. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  He had the reputation of being one of the most tight-fisted and demanding of employers.

ti ght-li pped

1 ADJ If you describe someone as tight-lipped , you mean that they are unwilling to give any information about something. □ [+ about ] She's always been famously tight-lipped about her love life.

2 ADJ Someone who is tight-lipped has their lips pressed tightly together, especially because they are angry or disapproving. □  He was sitting at the other end of the table, tight-lipped and angry.

tight|rope /ta I troʊp/ (tightropes )

1 N‑COUNT A tightrope is a tightly stretched piece of rope on which someone balances and performs tricks in a circus.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can use tightrope in expressions such as walk a tightrope and live on a tightrope to indicate that someone is in a difficult situation and has to be very careful about what they say or do. □  They're walking a tightrope between being overprotective and not caring enough.

tights /ta I ts/