Loosen up

phrasal verb

To become less tense or more relaxed or to help someone to do this.

You should loosen up a bit, take some time off from work.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To become less tense or more relaxed or to help someone to do this.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up a bit
  • loosen up your muscles
phrasal verb

To make something less tight.

He loosened up his tie.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To make something less tight.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up a tie
  • loosen up a screw
phrasal verb

To carry out exercises to avoid a stiffness of the muscles before doing sport or physical work.

Make sure to loosen up before you start exercising to prevent injury.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To carry out exercises to avoid a stiffness of the muscles before doing sport or physical work.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up before exercise
  • loosen up muscles
phrasal verb

To make rules or controls less strict.

The government is planning to loosen up immigration controls.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To make rules or controls less strict.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up controls
  • loosen up rules
phrasal verb

To become less tense or more relaxed or to help someone to do this.

You should loosen up a bit, take some time off from work.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To become less tense or more relaxed or to help someone to do this.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up a bit
  • loosen up your muscles
phrasal verb

To make something less tight.

He loosened up his tie.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To make something less tight.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up a tie
  • loosen up a screw
phrasal verb

To carry out exercises to avoid a stiffness of the muscles before doing sport or physical work.

Make sure to loosen up before you start exercising to prevent injury.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To carry out exercises to avoid a stiffness of the muscles before doing sport or physical work.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up before exercise
  • loosen up muscles
phrasal verb

To make rules or controls less strict.

The government is planning to loosen up immigration controls.
Visual representation of "loosen up" - To make rules or controls less strict.

Often appears as...

  • loosen up controls
  • loosen up rules
Definition 1 of 4
Visual representation of "loosen up"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Relief

Used to encourage someone to stop worrying and enjoy themselves more.

Illustration for Emotional Relief
Come on, loosen up! Have some fun at the party.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Social Context

Common in casual, friendly advice to suggest being more comfortable in social situations.

Illustration for Social Context
Just loosen up and strike up a conversation with someone new.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Literal

Doesn't always involve physical relaxation; often about attitude or mindset.

Illustration for Not Literal
Loosen up a bit with your study schedule and enjoy your college life.
Visual representation of the word "Loosen up"

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