tense up meaning and definition

TENSE UP verb

Definition of tense up (verb)

1. become tense, nervous, or uneasy
   • "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room"
   • synonyms: tense
   • antonym: decompress
2. cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious
   • "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up"
   • synonyms: strain, tense
   • antonym: loosen up