loosens up
Sheds initial stiffness
To loosen up is to relax, become less tense or rigid.
A nervous speaker loosens up after a few minutes at the podium.
Muscles loosen up with stretching.
Social gatherings loosen up as drinks flow.
He's pretty reserved at first, but he loosens up once you get to know him.
The phrase can also mean to make something less strict: The company loosened up its dress code.
- relaxBecome less tense
- takes it easyRemains calm, unhurried
- slackensReduces tension or pace
- untightenReduce tension or grip
- eases upBecomes less severe
soften · lets go · unwind · winds down · decompresses · ease · deregulates · liberalizes · mellow · thaws · breaks the ice · calms down · unbend · stretches · destresses · chills out · goes with the flow · flexible
loosens uptightens
Makes less loose
tightens up · constricts · tenses · stiffens · fastens
loosens upclams up
Stops talking abruptly
freezes up · shuts down · stiffens · withdraws · tightens up
loosens uptightens up
Makes less loose
cracks down · clamps down · tightens · restricts · enforces
loosen, loosens, loosened, loosening, loose, loosely, looseness, looser, loosest