| query | If a government or organization t_______ its grip on a group of people or an activity, or if its grip tightens, it begins to have more control over it.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. He plans to tighten his grip on the machinery of central government. As the regime's grip on the mainland tightened, hundreds of thousands of people fled. |
|---|---|
| word | tighten |
| full-definition | verb If you tighten your grip on something, or if your grip tightens, you hold the thing more firmly or securely. Luke answered by tightening his grip on her shoulder. Her arms tightened about his neck in gratitude. Stefano's grip tightened and his tone became colder. If you tighten a rope or chain, or if it tightens, it is stretched or pulled hard until it is straight . The anchorman flung his whole weight back, tightening the rope. The cables tightened and he was lifted gradually from the deck. 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. He plans to tighten his grip on the machinery of central government. As the regime's grip on the mainland tightened, hundreds of thousands of people fled. 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. I used my thumbnail to tighten the screw on my lamp. All the bolts were fully tightened. It's important to tighten up the wheels properly, otherwise they vibrate loose and fall off. If a part of your body tightens, the muscles in it become tense and stiff, for example because you are angry or afraid . Sofia's throat had tightened and she couldn't speak. She saw his jaw tighten and his face lose its colour. ...a headache caused by tension which results in tightening of the muscles in the neck. ...a slight tightening of the throat. If someone in authority tightens a rule, a policy, or a system, they make it stricter or more efficient . The Government plans to tighten the economic sanctions currently in place. They have tightened security along the border. Take-off and landing procedures have been tightened after two jets narrowly escaped disaster. Until this week, every attempt to tighten up the law had failed. He accused ministers of breaking election pledges to tighten up on tax fraud. ...the tightening of state control over press and broadcasting. |
| inflections | tightenstighteningtightenedtighteningbeef uptightening |
| cefr-level | C1 |
Tags: oxford5k::cefr-level:c1
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