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loos‧en
1 [intransitive and transitive] to make something less tight or less firmly fastened, or to become less tight or less firmly fastened [≠ tighten]: You'll need a spanner to loosen that bolt. The screws have loosened. Harry loosened his tie.
You'll need a spanner to loosen that bolt.The screws have loosened.Harry loosened his tie.2 [transitive] to make laws, rules etc less strict [= relax; ≠ tighten]: Congress has loosened the restrictions on immigration.
Congress has loosened the restrictions on immigration.3
loosen your grip/hold
a) to reduce the control or power you have over someone or something
b) to start holding someone or something less tightly than you were before [≠ tighten]
loosen your grip/hold on He loosened his grip on David's arm.
He loosened his grip on David's arm.4 to make someone talk more than usual, especially about things they should not talk about
loosen somebody's tongue
loosen up
phrasal verb1 to stop worrying and become more relaxed, or to make someone do this : She loosened up after she'd had a drink.
She loosened up after she'd had a drink.2DS if your muscles loosen up, or if something loosens them up, they stop feeling stiff
