loos·en 
/ˈlu:sn̩/ verb
loos·ens; loos·ened; loos·en·ing /ˈlu:sn̩/ verb 1 a [+ obj] : to make (something) less tight or firm : to make (something) loose or looser
▪ He used a spade to loosen the soil. ▪ She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan. ▪ loosen a screw ▪ After eating so much I had to loosen my belt. ▪ When the meeting was over he loosened his tie. ▪ She loosened her grip/hold on the rope. [=she began to hold the rope less tightly] — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He has loosened his grip/hold on the company.
b [no obj] : to become less tight or firm : to become loose or looser
▪ One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened. ▪ Her grip loosened. 2 : to become or to cause (something) to become less strict [+ obj] ▪ We want to loosen (up) the controls/restrictions that the law has imposed. ▪ Each generation seems to loosen the established standards of behavior. [no obj] ▪ Standards of behavior seem to be loosening everywhere.
▪ He used a spade to loosen the soil. ▪ She loosened the cake from the sides of the pan. ▪ loosen a screw ▪ After eating so much I had to loosen my belt. ▪ When the meeting was over he loosened his tie. ▪ She loosened her grip/hold on the rope. [=she began to hold the rope less tightly] — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He has loosened his grip/hold on the company.
b [no obj] : to become less tight or firm : to become loose or looser
▪ One of the screws had loosened a bit and had to be tightened. ▪ Her grip loosened.
loosen someone's tongue
: to cause someone to talk more freely : to cause someone to say things that would not usually be said
▪ Drinking alcohol can loosen your tongue.
▪ Drinking alcohol can loosen your tongue.
loosen up [phrasal verb] 1 : to make or become less tense : relax
▪ He loosens up by exercising. ▪ After a couple of drinks she had loosened up and was talking freely. ▪ He seemed nervous and his friends kept telling him to loosen up. 2 loosen (someone or something) up or loosen up (someone or something) : to cause (someone or something) to relax
▪ He exercises to loosen up his muscles. [=he exercises so that his muscles are not stiff] ▪ I tried to loosen her up [=I tried to get her to relax and feel comfortable] by telling a few jokes.
▪ He loosens up by exercising. ▪ After a couple of drinks she had loosened up and was talking freely. ▪ He seemed nervous and his friends kept telling him to loosen up.
▪ He exercises to loosen up his muscles. [=he exercises so that his muscles are not stiff] ▪ I tried to loosen her up [=I tried to get her to relax and feel comfortable] by telling a few jokes.
