tighten down
C1 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To screw or press something tightly so it doesn't move.
Literal meaning: To make tight by pressing or turning in a downward direction.
Meanings
1 C1 neutral
To secure a bolt, nut, or fitting firmly by tightening it so it cannot move.
"Make sure you tighten down every bolt before you take the engine out for a test run."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
neutral
To make security or rules stricter in order to prevent problems (less common variant of 'tighten up').
"Management decided to tighten down procedures after the safety audit."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Primarily used in mechanical and technical contexts. Less common than 'tighten up' and often interchangeable with it in physical senses. More frequent in American English technical manuals.
Commonly used with
bolt nut screw fitting lid clamp
Forms
Base
tighten down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tightens down
he/she/it
Past simple
tightened down
yesterday
Past participle
tightened down
have + pp
-ing form
tightening down
continuous
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