1
general::
tighten sth up
[ M ]
to make something become tighter, firmer or less easy to move
• Now tighten up the screws., tighten (sth) up
[ M ]
to make a rule, system, or law stronger and more difficult to avoid or ignore
• Are there any plans to tighten up on advertising controls?
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
verb become/make sth firmer/tighter ADV. fractionally, a little, slightly | convulsively, involuntarily Her fingers tightened convulsively with every jolt she received. | painfully | up Can you tighten up the bolts for me? VERB + TIGHTEN seem to | feel sth, sense sth He felt his stomach tighten. | make sth His words made her throat tighten. PREP. about/around/round His hand tightened painfully around her wrist. | on Her grip seemed to tighten on the door handle. | in He saw his father's jaw tighten in irritation. | into His mouth tightened into a thin hard line. | with Her face tightened with pain. make sth more strict ADV. considerably VERB + TIGHTEN take steps to Steps were taken to tighten discipline in the school. PREP. up The law in this area has been tightened up considerably.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary