Phrasal verb
ease up
Definitions
01to be less strict
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
phr.v. to stop being so strict or demanding with someone.
phr.v. to become less severe, demanding, or strict in one's treatment of others.
“You should ease up on the new employee; she is still learning how we do things.”
“The manager decided to ease up on the strict deadlines once he realised the team was suffering from significant burnout.”
Usage
often takes the preposition 'on' followed by a person or a rule.
Teaching tip
This is a very common way to tell someone to 'chill out' or be kinder in a professional or social setting.
02to reduce intensity
B2 · Upper Intermediate
phr.v. to become less strong or intense, like rain or a bad feeling.
phr.v. to diminish in pressure, force, or intensity.
“We can go for a walk once the rain begins to ease up.”
“Economists hope that inflation will ease up by the second quarter, allowing for a more stable market environment.”
Usage
usually intransitive when describing weather or abstract pressures.
03to slow down
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
phr.v. to reduce your speed while driving or moving.
phr.v. to reduce speed or physical effort, particularly when operating a vehicle.
日本語:緩める※
“You need to ease up on the gas pedal as you enter the school zone.”
“The driver had to ease up as the fog thickened, making it nearly impossible to see the taillights of the car ahead.”
Usage
often used with 'on' when referring to a specific control like a pedal or brake.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ease up” in context.
Verb
01. ease up and relax
“Once the exams were over, he could finally ease up and relax for a few weeks.”
verb + and + verb
02. ease up on the accelerator
“You should ease up on the accelerator as you approach the sharp curve in the road.”
verb + prep + noun
03. ease up on the pressure
“The manager decided to ease up on the pressure after the team met their quarterly targets.”
verb + prep + noun
Adverb
04. finally ease up
“The strict border controls finally eased up after the international treaty was signed.”
adv + verb
05. gradually ease up
“The heavy rain began to gradually ease up by late afternoon.”
adv + verb
06. slightly ease up
“The coach told the athletes to slightly ease up during the warm-down session.”
adv + verb
Teaching tip
contrast with 'let up' (usually for weather) and 'slow down' (specifically for speed); 'ease up' implies a reduction in pressure or harshness.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
ease + up (+ on + object)
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ease-up
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0