tighten [ˈtaɪtn]
tighten(
tay
-
dihn
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
1. (to make tight)
a. apretar
You can tighten the screw a lot more with an electric drill.Puedes apretar el tornillo mucho más con un destornillador eléctrico.
b. tensar
Go around and tighten all the lines attached to the tent stakes.Ve y tensa todas las cuerdas atadas a las estacas de la carpa.
c. ajustar
The steering wheel on my tractor wobbles, so I need to tighten it.El volante de mi tractor se bambolea; lo tengo que ajustar.
2. (to make more strict)
a. intensificar
The director of the nuclear power station tightened security after the bomb threat.El director de la central nuclear intensificó la seguridad tras la amenaza de bomba.
b. endurecer
The government is going to tighten the requirements for citizenship.El gobierno va a endurecer los requisitos para obtener la ciudadanÃa.
c. hacer más severo
If we don't tighten the rules, the students will continue to take advantage of us.Si no hacemos las reglas más severas, los alumnos seguirán aprovechándose de nosotros.
d. reforzar
The airport is tightening security this weekend because of recent threats.El aeropuerto reforzará la seguridad este fin de semana debido a las amenazas recientes.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).
3. (to get tense; often used with "up")
a. tensarse
I saw Julia's jaw tighten when they mentioned the name of her boss.Vi que se le tensó la mandÃbula a Julia cuando mencionaron el nombre de su jefe.
b. apretarse
Felipe tried to untie the captive, but the knot only tightened.Felipe intentó desatar al cautivo, pero el nudo se apretó más.
c. ponerse tenso
Relax! If you tighten up, the injection will hurt more.¡Relájate! Si te pones tenso, la inyección te va a doler más.
tightentransitive verbintransitive verb
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g. I bought a book.).
1. (screw, knot)
a. apretar
2. (rope)
a. tensar
3. (restrictions, security)
a. intensificar
4. (conditions, rules)
a. endurecer
to tighten one's grip onasir con más fuerza
5. (fig)
a.
he tightened his grip on the organizationincrementó su control sobre la organización
6. (fig)
a.
to tighten one's beltapretarse el cinturón
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).
7. (knot)
a. apretarse
8. (grip)
a. intensificarse
9. (rope)
a. tensarse
Copyright © 2006 Harrap Publishers Limited
Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
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