tense up
B1 neutral intransitive
In simple words
When your body or mind gets tight and nervous — like when you hear a loud bang and all your muscles go rigid.
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
To become physically stiff or rigid, usually because of stress, fear, or cold.
"He tends to tense up in his shoulders and neck when he's under pressure."
2 B1
idiomatic
neutral
To become emotionally anxious, guarded, or nervous.
"She always tensed up whenever the conversation turned to her family."
Usage notes
Refers to both the physical sensation of muscles tightening and the emotional state of becoming nervous or guarded. Very common in everyday speech and sports contexts. Often followed by a reason introduced by 'when' or 'at'.
Commonly used with
muscles shoulders body nerves athlete interview
Forms
Base
tense up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tenses up
he/she/it
Past simple
tensed up
yesterday
Past participle
tensed up
have + pp
-ing form
tensing up
continuous
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Synonyms
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