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tighten criteria

[/ˈtaɪtən ˈkraɪˌtɪriə/]
verb phrase
apertar os critérios
1. to make standards, requirements, or conditions more strict or rigorous
The university decided to tighten criteria for admission to improve academic standards.
A universidade decidiu apertar os critérios de admissão para melhorar os padrões acadêmicos.
2. to impose stricter rules or measures on a process or evaluation
The company will tighten criteria for employee performance reviews.
A empresa vai apertar os critérios para avaliações de desempenho dos funcionários.
Synonyms
strengthen criteriamake stricterincrease requirementsenforce stricter standards
Antonyms
loosen criteriarelax standardsease requirementssoften standards

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
apertar os critérios
most commonly used in both formal and informal contexts
São Paulo
apertar os critérios / enrijecer os critérios
both forms are used, with enrijecer being more formal
Portugal
apertar os critérios / endurecer os critérios
endurecer is also commonly used in formal Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
apertar os critérios
standard usage, occasionally 'ficar mais rígido'

Related Idioms & Phrases

raise the bar
set the bar higher
tighten one's belt
crack down on standards
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