Skip to main content
The response when anticipating physical discipline. The body becomes rigid and tense as contact is inevitable.
I was afraid not to behave in church since my dad would take off his belt and tighten me up when we got home
Tighten - A antonym for a psychopath who faces a blue faced twelve-head
Titian is such a tighten
Tighten by LukeOfAZ March 5, 2022

tighten up! 

Prison slang for "pay attention". Can also be used to tell another inmate to stop goofing off.
"Yo man tighten up! Don't you see what's about to happen?"
tighten up! by graybar hotel February 9, 2014

tighten up the graphics

1) To work at an introductory-level tech position.
2) To attempt a feat without knowledge of how it can be done.

Phrase originates from a Westwood College commercial, in which two young videogame designers, dressed in 70s attire, report to their boss that they are "almost done with level 3, and need to tighten up the graphics a little bit."
1) "Once I move back to Arlington I'm gonna tighten up the graphics for Adobe Systems."

2) "I'm almost done with my quadratics homework, I just need to tighten up the graphics a little bit."
tighten up the graphics by denshuu September 10, 2005

tighten up 

1. To get your act together. 2. Don't be so loose
Mary: Sarah you should put your clothes on!
Kelly: Yea, Sarah tighten up!
Sarah: Mary you should stop takin it deep!
Kelly: Yea, Mary tighten up!
tighten up by Joe11 June 28, 2006

tighten it up 

To get one's shit together.
After breaking his sobriety and drinking, Amy told John to tighten it up.
tighten it up by SLAP May 11, 2004