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tightening up

[/ˈtaɪtənɪŋ ʌp/]
verb (gerund/present participle)
aperto, endurecimento, intensificação
1. Making something tighter, firmer, or more secure
Tightening up the bolts on the machinery is essential for safety.
Apertar os parafusos da máquina é essencial para a segurança.
2. Becoming stricter or more rigorous in enforcing rules or standards
The government is tightening up immigration regulations.
O governo está endurecendo as regulações de imigração.
3. Improving performance or efficiency by eliminating waste or slack
The team is tightening up their defense in the second half.
O time está intensificando sua defesa no segundo tempo.
Synonyms
tighteningstrengtheningstiffeningreinforcingintensifyinghardening
Antonyms
looseningrelaxingeasingslackeningweakening

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
apertar, enrijecer, intensificar
Common in all Brazilian regions
São Paulo
apertar as coisas
More colloquial usage
Rio de Janeiro
apertar, endurecer
Similar to general Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
apertar, reforçar, intensificar
European Portuguese usage, similar meanings

Related Idioms & Phrases

tighten one's belt (economizar, reduzir gastos)
tighten the screws (aumentar a pressão)
tighten up one's act (melhorar o desempenho)
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