Browse all

loosen up

B1 informal inseparable both
In simple words

You stop being so tense or serious and start to relax — either your body or your personality.

Literal meaning: To become physically less tight or stiff.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To stretch and warm up the muscles before physical activity.

"The players loosen up for twenty minutes before every game."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To become or make someone less tense, shy, or formal in a social situation.

"After a few minutes of small talk, everyone started to loosen up."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral

To make something less strict, tight, or rigid (rules, conditions, policies).

"The government plans to loosen up restrictions on foreign investment."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Often used as an encouraging phrase: 'Come on, loosen up!' Can refer to physical stretching before sport, or to someone becoming less shy or formal in social situations.

Commonly used with

muscles crowd atmosphere joints mood audience

Forms

Base
loosen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
loosens up
he/she/it
Past simple
loosened up
yesterday
Past participle
loosened up
have + pp
-ing form
loosening up
continuous

Understand "loosen up" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

relax unwind warm up let go ease up lighten up

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "loosen up" on Looplines