loosen
BrE /ˈluː.sən/ AmE /ˈluː.zən/
verb en → es
past loosened pp loosened ing loosening
to make something less tight or to become less tight; to undo fastenings such as buttons, knots, etc.
aflojar, desabrochar, relajar
- loosen something
Collocations loosen a knot · loosen one's belt
-
He loosened his tie and took off his jacket.
Él aflojó la corbata y se quitó el saco.
to make something less severe or strict; to relax rules, laws, etc.
aliviar, suavizar, relajar
- loosen restrictions
Collocations loosen the rules · loosen regulations
-
The government is trying to loosen some of its strict laws.
El gobierno está intentando aliviar algunas de sus leyes estrictas.
Phrasal verbs
relajarse, aflojarse
-
She needs to loosen up and enjoy herself.
Ella necesita relajarse y disfrutar.
aflojar, soltar
-
He loosened off the screws.
Él aflojó los tornillos.
Idioms
aflojar la lengua, soltar la lengua
-
The drink loosened his tongue and he started talking about things he shouldn't.
La bebida le aflojó la lengua y empezó a hablar de cosas que no debería.
aflojar el cinturón del dinero, soltar las cuerdas del bolsillo
-
The company needs to loosen its purse strings and invest more in research.
La empresa necesita aflojar el cinturón del dinero y invertir más en investigación.