tighten

verb

/ˈtaɪtn/

动词形式

present simple I / you / we / they tighten	/ˈtaɪtn/ /ˈtaɪtn/
he / she / it tightens	/ˈtaɪtnz/ /ˈtaɪtnz/
past simple tightened	/ˈtaɪtnd/ /ˈtaɪtnd/
past participle tightened	/ˈtaɪtnd/ /ˈtaɪtnd/
-ing form tightening	/ˈtaɪtnɪŋ/ /ˈtaɪtnɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

[transitive, intransitive] to hold or fix something more securely in position; to make something or become more difficult to move, open or separate使更加严格；加强
- tighten something to tighten a lid/screw/rope/knot拧紧盖子／螺钉；绷紧绳子；打紧结
- She tightened her grip on his arm.她抓他的手臂抓得更紧了。
- The nuts weren't properly tightened and the wheel came off.螺母没拧紧，轮子脱落了。
- tighten something up The brake cable needs tightening up.刹车线需要调紧。
- (+ adv./prep.) Her grip seemed to tighten on the door handle.她似乎把门把手抓得更紧了。
- He saw his father's jaw tighten in irritation.他看到父亲气得紧咬牙关。
- This tool is for tightening screws.这个工具是用来拧紧螺丝的。
- Her fingers tightened convulsively with every jolt she received.每多一下震动，她的手指就痉挛似地攥得更紧。
- His hand tightened painfully around her wrist.他的手紧紧握住她的手腕，弄得她生疼。
[transitive] tighten something to make something become stricter使更加严格；加强
- to tighten security加强安全措施
- The government is to tighten controls on the sale of alcohol.政府将加强对酒精销售的控制。
- Steps were taken to tighten discipline in the school.已采取措施加强学校的纪律。
Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- a little
- slightly
- etc.
- …
verb + tighten
- seem to
- feel something
- make something
- …
preposition
- about
- around
- round
- …
[intransitive, transitive] to become stretched so that it cannot stretch much further; to stretch or pull something in this way使更加严格；加强
- tighten (up) The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke.系船的绳子突然绷断了。
- His mouth tightened into a thin line.他的嘴抿成了一道细缝。
- tighten something She tightened the straps on her backpack.她收紧了背包上的带子。
[intransitive] (of part of the body人体部位) to become painful or uncomfortable because of illness or emotion（使）变紧，更加牢固
- He felt his stomach tighten.他感到肚子发紧。
- Her face tightened with pain.她痛得紧绷着脸。
- His words made her throat tighten.他的话使她喉咙发紧。

opposite loosen

Idioms

tighten your belt

to spend less money because there is less available勒紧腰带（省吃俭用）
- With price increases on most goods, everyone is having to tighten their belt.随着大多数商品的价格上涨，每个人都不得不勒紧腰带。
- There is a need for further belt-tightening.有必要进一步紧缩开支。
Synonyms save
save
- budget
- economize
- tighten your belt
These words all mean to spend less money.
- save to keep money instead of spending it, often in order to buy a particular thing:
  I’m saving for a new car.我正攒钱想买辆新车。
- budget to be careful about the amount of money you spend; to plan to spend an amount of money for a particular purpose:
  If we budget carefully we’ll be able to afford the trip.我们精打细算一点，就能够负担这次旅行。
- economize to use less money, time, etc. than you normally use指节省、节约、节俭
- tighten your belt (rather informal) to spend less money because there is less available:指勒紧腰带省吃俭用：
  With the price increases, we are all having to tighten our belts.由于物价上涨，我们都只好勒紧裤腰带了。
Patterns
- to save up/budget for something
- to have to save/budget/economize/tighten our belts
- to try to/manage to save/budget/economize