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
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.
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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
Along with tightening up their social strategy to meet the moment and gain traction, Democrats celebrated wins across the country this week.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
Dallas was far from perfect in its own zone against the Avalanche, but tightened up in Round 2.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tighten up
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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
Along with tightening up their social strategy to meet the moment and gain traction, Democrats celebrated wins across the country this week.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 6 Apr. 2025
Dallas was far from perfect in its own zone against the Avalanche, but tightened up in Round 2.
—The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 20 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 13 Jun. 2025.
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