loosen up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Become less tense or formal, especially before an activity
Why “up”? An action, effort, relationship, or process stops, becomes weaker, or does not continue.
“He loosened up after a few jokes.”
“The team loosened up after the warm-up game.”
Test yourself
“He loosened up after a few jokes.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
break up
Same up pattern: stopping
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
close up
Same up pattern: stopping
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
give up
Same up pattern: stopping
Stop trying; surrender; Stop doing or using something
hang up
Same up pattern: stopping
End a phone call
hold up
Same up pattern: stopping
Raise and keep raised; Delay a person or process
lay up
Same up pattern: stopping
Force someone to stay in bed because of illness or injury
let up
Same up pattern: stopping
Become less intense or stop
pack up
Same up pattern: stopping
Stop working; quit
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