7 ADJ If a part of your body is tight , it feels rather uncomfortable and painful, for example because you are ill, anxious, or angry. □ It is better to stretch the tight muscles first. ● tight|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Heart disease often shows itself first as pain or tightness in the chest.
8 ADJ A tight group of people is one whose members are closely linked by beliefs, feelings, or interests. □ We're a tight group, so we do keep in touch.
9 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A tight bend or corner is one that changes direction very quickly so that you cannot see very far round it. □ They collided on a tight bend and both cars were extensively damaged.
10 ADJ A tight schedule or budget allows very little time or money for unexpected events or expenses. □ It's difficult to cram everything into a tight schedule. □ Financially things are a bit tight.
11 ADJ A tight contest is one where none of the competitors has a clear advantage or looks likely to win, so that it is difficult to say who the winner will be. □ It was a very tight match.
12 ADJ If you say that someone is tight , you disapprove of them because they are unwilling to spend their money. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The theatre was too tight to pay for any champagne for its stars.
13 → see also airtight , skin-tight
14 PHRASE If you are in a tight corner or in a tight spot , you are in a difficult situation. [INFORMAL ] □ That puts the president in a tight spot if the vote is not a resounding 'yes'.
15 CONVENTION You can say ' sleep tight ' to someone when they are going to bed as an affectionate way of saying that you hope they will sleep well. □ Good night, Davey. Sleep tight.
16 to keep a tight rein on → see rein
17 to sit tight → see sit
tight|en /ta I t ə n/ (tightens , tightening , tightened )
1 VERB If you tighten your grip on something, or if your grip tightens , you hold the thing more firmly or securely. □ [V n] Luke answered by tightening his grip on her shoulder. □ [V prep] Her arms tightened about his neck in gratitude. □ [V ] Stefano's grip tightened and his tone became colder.
2 VERB If you tighten a rope or chain, or if it tightens , it is stretched or pulled hard until it is straight. □ [V n] The anchorman flung his whole weight back, tightening the rope. □ [V ] The cables tightened and he was lifted gradually from the deck.
3 VERB If a government or organization tightens its grip on a group of people or an activity, or if its grip tightens , it begins to have more control over it. □ [V n] He plans to tighten his grip on the machinery of central government. □ [V ] As the regime's grip on the mainland tightened, hundreds of thousands of people fled.
4 VERB When you tighten a screw, nut, or other device, you turn it or move it so that it is more firmly in place or holds something more firmly. □ [V n] I used my thumbnail to tighten the screw on my lamp. ● PHRASAL VERB Tighten up means the same as tighten . □ [V P n] It's important to tighten up the wheels properly, otherwise they vibrate loose and fall off. [Also V n P ]
5 VERB If a part of your body tightens , the muscles in it become tense and stiff, for example because you are angry or afraid. □ [V ] Sofia's throat had tightened and she couldn't speak. ● tight|en|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a headache caused by tension which results in tightening of the muscles in the neck.
6 VERB If someone in authority tightens a rule, a policy, or a system, they make it stricter or more efficient. □ [V n] The Government plans to tighten the economic sanctions currently in place. □ [be V -ed] Take-off and landing procedures have been tightened after two jets narrowly escaped disaster. ● PHRASAL VERB Tighten up means the same as tighten . □ [V P n] Until this week, every attempt to tighten up the law had failed. □ [V P + on ] He accused ministers of breaking election pledges to tighten up on immigration. [Also V n P ] ● tight|en|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the tightening of state control over press and broadcasting.
7 to tighten your belt → see belt
8 to tighten the screw → see screw
▸ tighten up
1 PHRASAL VERB If a group, team, or organization tightens up , they make an effort to control what they are doing more closely, in order to become more efficient and successful. □ [V P ] I want us to be a bit more sensible this time and tighten up.
2 → see also tighten 4 , tighten 6
ti ght-fi sted ADJ If you describe someone as tight-fisted , you disapprove of them because they are unwilling to spend money. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He had the reputation of being one of the most tight-fisted and demanding of employers.
ti ght-li pped
1 ADJ If you describe someone as tight-lipped , you mean that they are unwilling to give any information about something. □ [+ about ] She's always been famously tight-lipped about her love life.
2 ADJ Someone who is tight-lipped has their lips pressed tightly together, especially because they are angry or disapproving. □ He was sitting at the other end of the table, tight-lipped and angry.