TENSE UP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tense up mean? 

• TENSE UP (verb)
  The verb TENSE UP has 2 senses:

1. become tense, nervous, or uneasy

2. cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious

  Familiarity information: TENSE UP used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TENSE UP (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become tense, nervous, or uneasy

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

tense; tense up

Context example:

He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room

Hypernyms (to "tense up" is one way to...):

change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody's (body part) ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

strain; tense; tense up

Context example:

he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up

Hypernyms (to "tense up" is one way to...):

affect (act physically on; have an effect upon)

Cause:

tense; tense up (become tense, nervous, or uneasy)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "tense up"):

extend; stretch (extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody