tense up


Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Verb1.tense up - become tense, nervous, or uneasy; "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
tense
change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election"
2.tense up - cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"
tense, strain
affect - act physically on; have an effect upon; "the medicine affects my heart rate"
stretch, extend - extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body; "Stretch your legs!"; "Extend your right arm above your head"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

w>tense up

vi (person, muscle) → sich anspannen
vt sep muscle → anspannen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
References in periodicals archive ?
It's impossible to continue this movement if you tense up, and at the same time, as you do it, it quiets the mind and relaxes the body.
Movement awareness through Feldenkrais: explore the psychology of tension and its release with Lavinia Plonka
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