ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ease up

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to start doing something with less force or effort, or to become less strict.

phr. v.. to reduce the intensity, pressure, or severity of an action or demand; can also refer to a decrease in the frequency or force of a natural phenomenon.


SIMPLE

You should ease up on the gas pedal.

CONTEXTUAL

The rain finally began to ease up after three days of heavy storms.

COMPLEX

The management decided to ease up on the strict dress code to improve employee morale during the summer months.

Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
ease + up (+ on + object)
Usage

often used with the preposition 'on' when referring to a specific person or activity.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'let up' (usually for weather) and 'slow down' (specifically for speed); 'ease up' implies a reduction in pressure or harshness.

Pitfall

Ease up of the pressure.Ease up on the pressure.the preposition 'on' is used to connect the verb to the object being reduced.

© 2026 English Reference