Definition

Verb (transitive and intransitive): 1. To become or cause to become less tense, stiff, rigid, or formal. 2. To make something less tight or constricted; to become less tight. 3. To become more relaxed, friendly, or less restrained in manner or behavior.

Usage

The verb "loosen up" can be used both with and without an object. * When used without an object, it means the subject itself becomes more relaxed or less tight. * You need to loosen up and enjoy the party. * When used with an object, it means to cause something or someone else to become less tight or tense. * The massage therapist loosened up my stiff shoulders.

Examples

• Intransitive (no object):
  • After a few minutes of stretching, my muscles began to loosen up.
  • He was very nervous at first, but he loosened up after talking for a while.
  • The old hinge finally loosened up after I applied some oil.
• Transitive (with an object):
  • Have a drink to loosen up your nerves before the speech.
  • The coach told the players to do some exercises to loosen up their legs.
  • This tool is used to loosen up the soil in the garden.

Advanced Usage

• "Loosen up on [something]": To become less strict or severe about rules, control, or discipline.
  • The teacher decided to loosen up on the homework rules before the holiday.
• Imperative for encouragement: Often used as a friendly command to tell someone to relax.
  • "Hey, loosen up! It's just a game."

Variants and Related Words

• Loosen (verb): To make something less tight or firm; to relax control. (Often interchangeable, but "loosen up" can imply a process towards a relaxed state, especially for people).
  • Loosen the screw. / Loosen your grip.
• Relax (verb): The closest synonym, meaning to become or make less tense or anxious.

Synonyms

• Relax
• Unwind
• Ease up
• Chill out (informal)
• Limber up (specifically for muscles)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Warm up: To prepare for physical exercise by doing gentle stretches and exercises. This is very similar to "loosen up" in a physical context.
  • It's important to warm up before running.

Related Idioms

• Let your hair down: To relax and behave informally.
  • After the exams, we're all going to let our hair down. (This is similar in meaning to "loosen up" in a social context).

Verb

1. cause to feel relaxed
   • A hot bath always relaxes me
2. become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
   • He relaxed in the hot tub
   • Let's all relax after a hard day's work
3. make one's body limber or suppler by stretching, as if to prepare for strenuous physical activity
4. become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner
   • our new colleague relaxed when he saw that we were a friendly group
5. cause to become unblocked
   • The medicine unstuffed my nose in minutes!