loosen

To make something less tight or less firmly fixed.

• Please loosen this knot.
• He loosened his tie after work.
• Can you loosen the lid for me?

Similar words: slacken, undo

Opposites: tighten

Common phrases: loosen a belt, loosen a screw, loosen your grip

To become calmer, friendlier, or less worried, especially around other people.

• Try to loosen up and enjoy yourself.
• He loosened up after meeting the other guests.
• Music helps everyone loosen up.

How to use it: loosen up (She began to loosen up as the party continued.)

Similar words: relax, unwind

Opposites: tense up

Common phrases: loosen up, loosen up around someone

If muscles or joints do this, they become less stiff and can move more easily.

• My muscles slowly began to loosen.
• Her stiff joints loosened up during the walk.
• These stretches help your shoulders loosen up.

How to use it: loosen up (My shoulders loosen up after a few gentle stretches.)

Similar words: relax, limber up

Opposites: stiffen

Common phrases: loosen up, muscles loosen, joints loosen up

To make someone willing to talk, especially about things they usually keep private.

• A little wine loosened his tongue.
• Her kind questions loosened the shy boy’s tongue.
• The promise of a reward loosened several tongues.

How to use it: loosen someone’s tongue (The friendly atmosphere loosened his tongue.)

Common phrases: loosen someone’s tongue, loosen tongues