tighten

1. V-T/V-I If you tighten your grip on something, or if your grip tightens, you hold the thing more firmly or securely. 抓紧

Luke answered by tightening his grip on her shoulder. 卢克回应了，紧紧抓住她的肩膀。

Her arms tightened about his neck in gratitude. 她的双臂紧紧搂住他的脖子，充满感激。

2. V-T/V-I If you tighten a rope or chain, or if it tightens, it is stretched or pulled hard until it is straight. 使 (绳或链) 拉紧; 拉紧

The anchorman flung his whole weight back, tightening the rope. 这位排尾压阵队员用尽全部的力气往后拽，把绳子拉紧。

3. V-T/V-I 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. 对…加强控制; 加强控制

He knows he has considerable support for his plans to tighten his grip on the machinery of central government. 他知道他那些对中央政府加强控制的计划拥有相当多的支持。

4. V-T 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. 拧紧 (螺丝、螺帽等)

I used my thumbnail to tighten the screw on my lamp. 我用拇指指甲拧紧了灯上的螺丝。

5. PHRASAL VERB Tighten up means the same as . 拧紧 (同 )(tighten)

It's important to tighten up the wheels properly, otherwise they vibrate loose and fall off. 把车轮拧紧很重要，否则它们会振动而松脱。

6. V-I If a part of your body tightens, the muscles in it become tense and stiff, for example, because you are angry or afraid. (身体部位因生气或害怕) 变得僵硬

Sofia's throat had tightened and she couldn't speak. 索菲娅的喉咙哽住了，说不了话。

7. V-T If someone in authority tightens a rule, a policy, or a system, they make it stricter or more efficient. 使 (规定、政策或制度) 更严格; 使更有效

The United States plans to tighten the economic sanctions currently in place. 美国计划使现行的经济制裁更加严厉。

8. PHRASAL VERB Tighten up means the same as . 使…更严格

Until this week, every attempt to tighten up the law had failed. 到本周为止，一切严格执法的努力都失败了。

9. to tighten your belt→see belt