ease up

Reduce the pressure

Ease up means to reduce pressure, intensity, or effort.

You might ease up on the accelerator, ease up on criticism, or ease up on yourself after working too hard.

It can also mean to become less severe: The rain finally eased up around noon.

The phrase suggests a gradual relaxation rather than an abrupt stop.

reduce

lessen

Reduce in degree

decreaseBecome or make smaller
diminishTo make smaller
relaxBecome less tense

slacken · moderate · lighten · soften · taper · subside · abate · wane · back off · scale back

relax

unwind

Release accumulated tension

decompressRelease stored pressure
chillCold sensation or relaxation
calm downBecome less agitated

de-stress · mellow · breathe · take a break · rest · settle down · simmer down · cool it · kick back · hang loose

intensify

increase

Growth in amount

escalateIncrease in severity
accelerateIncrease in velocity
heightenIncrease in degree

amplify · mount · surge · strengthen · grow · rise · gain momentum

Categories

calming downcalmed, relaxed, chilled, settled, mellowed
calmingcalm, calm down, soothe, relax, pacify
calming phrasesstay calm, calm down, relax, keep your cool, breathe
diminishingabate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, ebb
idlingidle, idled, loaf, loafed, laze
self-controlself-control, restraint, willpower, composure, moderation

Opposites

intensity/pressure

ease upintensify

Increase in degree

ramp up · escalate · pile on · bear down · turn up the heat

pace/speed

ease upspeed up

Increase velocity or rate

accelerate · pick up the pace · rush · step on it · hurry up

strictness/leniency

ease upcrack down

Enforce rules more strictly

clamp down · tighten up · get tough · buckle down · come down hard

Family

easy, up, ease, easily, uneasy, unease, easing, easier, eased

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G