loosen
v.v. to make something less tight or less firm. You do this when you relax your grip on something or untie a knot slightly.
v. to release from tightness or tension; to make less firm or compact. Transitive when acting upon an object, though it can function intransitively to describe a state becoming less restrictive.
He needs to loosen his tie after the long meeting.
You should loosen the soil around the roots before you try to move the plant to a larger pot.
The government decided to loosen its grip on the economy by reducing several strict regulations that had been in place for decades.
From loose + -en.
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, but can also be used intransitively (e.g., 'the knot loosened').
I need to loose my beltI need to loosen my beltLearners often confuse the adjective 'loose' with the verb 'loosen'. 'Loose' describes a state, while 'loosen' is the action of making something less tight.
- 01
loosen someone's lips
To cause one to speak more freely; to cause one to discuss a subject that would not usually be discussed.
- 02
loosen someone's tongue
To cause one to speak more freely; to cause one to discuss a subject that would not usually be discussed.
- 03
loosen the apron strings
To allow greater freedom (to someone); to relax control of (someone).