TIGHTEN Meaning and
Definition
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Tighten is a transitive verb that refers to the act of making something tighter or more secure by applying pressure or reducing the amount of slack. It can also mean to make a rule, law, or regulation stricter or more rigorous, to make a financial or monetary policy more restrictive, or to exert control or authority more strictly on a certain situation or person.
In a physical context, tightening can involve fastening or securing an object by turning, twisting, or pulling it, such as tightening the screws on a machine or tightening the lid on a bottle. It can also involve cinching or constricting something by pulling or gathering it firmly, like tightening the belt around one's waist or tightening the knots in a rope.
In a figurative sense, the term can describe efforts to make something more orderly, efficient, or controlled. For instance, a government may tighten border controls or immigration policies to regulate the entry of individuals into the country more strictly. Similarly, a company may tighten its internal procedures or protocols to enhance productivity or reduce waste. Economic policies can also be tightened to restrain the growth of inflation or to limit the availability of credit.
Overall, tighten encompasses a range of actions that result in increased tension, security, restrictiveness, or control, whether in a physical, regulatory, or metaphorical sense.
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To draw or make tight or tighter; to straiten; to make close or closer.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for TIGHTEN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for TIGHTEN
Etymology of TIGHTEN
The word "tighten" has its origins in the Old English verb "tynan", which means "to make or become tight". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "tunen" which had a similar meaning. The word can be traced back even further to the Proto-Indo-European root "*ten-" which meant "to stretch". Over time, "tynan" evolved into "tighten" in Middle English, retaining its original meaning of making something firm, secure, or constricted.
Idioms with the word TIGHTEN
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tighten your belt
The idiom "tighten your belt" means to practice frugality and live within one's means, typically by reducing expenses and being economical in order to cope with financial difficulties or a limited budget. It implies the need to be more cautious and make sacrifices to endure a period of financial hardship.
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tighten the net
The idiom "tighten the net" typically refers to taking actions or measures to strengthen control, increase security, or further restrict circumstances, often with the purpose of preventing something undesirable from happening. It implies making a situation more secure or less prone to potential risks or errors.
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put/tighten the screws on sb
The idiom "put/tighten the screws on someone" means to exert pressure or apply forceful measures in order to compel someone to act or comply with certain demands or expectations. It typically refers to a situation where one party increases the level of scrutiny, control, or punishment over another individual to ensure compliance or cooperation.
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tighten the screws on sb/sth
The idiom "tighten the screws on sb/sth" means to increase pressure or insist on stricter control over someone or something. It implies enforcing stricter rules, regulations, requirements, or measures to regulate or control a person, group, situation, or system.
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tighten one's belt
The idiom "tighten one's belt" means to reduce one's expenses or live more frugally due to financial constraints or difficult circumstances. It implies the need to limit spending and make do with less in order to manage one's finances more prudently.
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tighten the reins
The idiom "tighten the reins" means to exert greater control or authority over a situation or group of people. It refers to the act of tightening the reins used to guide and control a horse, symbolizing the exertion of greater command or regulation.
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tighten up
The idiom "tighten up" generally means to make something more secure, compact, or efficient. In a figurative sense, it refers to improving or refining a process, organization, or situation to make it more effective, efficient, or disciplined.
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tighten sth up
The idiom "tighten something up" means to make something more secure, organized, or efficient. It refers to making adjustments or improvements to a situation, system, process, or any other aspect to enhance its effectiveness or eliminate any flaws or weaknesses.
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tighten sth on(to) sth
The idiom "tighten something on(to) something" means to fasten or secure an object firmly onto another object by using force or making it harder to move or remove. It can be used both in a literal sense, referring to physically fastening or securing something, and in a figurative sense, referring to making an already existing situation more restrictive or controlled.
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tighten the belt
The idiom "tighten the belt" means to reduce or limit spending, make financial sacrifices, or live more frugally, especially during times of economic hardship. It signifies the act of adopting a more careful and restrained approach to personal or organizational finances.
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tighten belt
The idiom "tighten belt" means to reduce one's spending or live frugally in order to cope with financial difficulties or a reduced income. It refers to the act of pulling a belt tighter to make it fit more snugly around the waist, symbolizing the need to cut back on expenses and live within limited means.
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tighten one’s belt
The idiom "tighten one's belt" means to reduce one's spending or live within one's means in order to save money or manage financial difficulties. It involves practicing frugality and cutting back on expenses to accommodate a limited budget or difficult financial situation.
Similar spelling words for TIGHTEN
Conjugate verb Tighten
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have tightened
you
would have tightened
he/she/it
would have tightened
we
would have tightened
they
would have tightened
I
would have tighten
you
would have tighten
he/she/it
would have tighten
we
would have tighten
they
would have tighten
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been tightening
you
would have been tightening
he/she/it
would have been tightening
we
would have been tightening
they
would have been tightening
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would tighten
you
would tighten
he/she/it
would tighten
we
would tighten
they
would tighten
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be tightening
you
would be tightening
he/she/it
would be tightening
we
would be tightening
they
would be tightening
FUTURE
I
will tighten
you
will tighten
he/she/it
will tighten
we
will tighten
they
will tighten
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be tightening
you
will be tightening
he/she/it
will be tightening
we
will be tightening
they
will be tightening
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have tightened
you
will have tightened
he/she/it
will have tightened
we
will have tightened
they
will have tightened
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been tightening
you
will have been tightening
he/she/it
will have been tightening
we
will have been tightening
they
will have been tightening
IMPERATIVE
you
tighten
we
let´s tighten
to tighten
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was tightening
you
were tightening
he/she/it
was tightening
we
were tightening
they
were tightening
PAST PARTICIPLE
tightened
PAST PERFECT
I
had tightened
you
had tightened
he/she/it
had tightened
we
had tightened
they
had tightened
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been tightening
you
had been tightening
he/she/it
had been tightening
we
had been tightening
they
had been tightening
PRESENT
I
tighten
you
tighten
he/she/it
tightens
we
tighten
they
tighten
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am tightening
you
are tightening
he/she/it
is tightening
we
are tightening
they
are tightening
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
tightening
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have tightened
you
have tightened
he/she/it
has tightened
we
have tightened
they
have tightened
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been tightening
you
have been tightening
he/she/it
has been tightening
we
have been tightening
they
have been tightening
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
tighten
SIMPLE PAST
I
tightened
you
tightened
he/she/it
tightened
we
tightened
they
tightened
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