stiffen up
Lose your flexibility
To stiffen up is to become rigid or less flexible, whether physically or figuratively.
Muscles stiffen up after intense exercise or long periods of inactivity: My back stiffens up if I sit too long.
The phrase also describes becoming more formal or defensive in manner: He stiffened up when they asked about his finances.
Stiffen up can also mean to strengthen resolve or resistance: The team stiffened up their defense in the second half.
- toughenMake harder to damage
- ossifyConvert to calcium tissue
- tightenMake more secure
- tense upBecome rigid from stress
- hardenMake or become firm
rigidify · muscle tension · firm · spasm · tautness · lock · lock up · freeze · defensiveness · clam up · solidify · cramp · resolve · hold your ground · inflexibility · immobility · straighten · stand at attention