1 B1 neutral
To stretch and warm up the muscles before physical activity.
"The players loosen up for twenty minutes before every game."
inseparable
loosen up
B1 informal inseparable transitive/intransitive
To become more relaxed, less tense, or less inhibited, physically or socially.
In plain English
You stop being so tense or serious and start to relax — either your body or your personality.
What does "loosen up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To become physically less tight or stiff.
Actually means
You stop being so tense or serious and start to relax — either your body or your personality.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "loosen up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
muscles crowd atmosphere joints mood audience
How to conjugate "loosen up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "loosen up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "loosen up"
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