loosen
loosen — 動詞
- loosenpresent simple I / you / we / they
- loosenshe / she / it
- loosenedpast simple
- loosening-ing form
1. to make something less tight or firmly fixed, or to become less tight on its own
鬆開；弄鬆
使原本緊繃的物體變得鬆動
to make something less tight or firmly fixed, or to become less tight on its own — for example, loosening a bolt, a knot, or a person's grip.
The mechanic loosened the old bolt by spraying oil and turning the wrench.
技工噴了潤滑油，然後用扳手把舊螺栓鬆開。
transitive: loosen + concrete object (bolt/screw/nut)
The knot on the child's shoelace loosened as she jumped in the puddles.
小孩鞋帶上的結在她踩水坑時鬆開了。
intransitive: knot/screw/strap loosens on its own
Dr. Park loosened the strap on the blood-pressure cuff before speaking.
朴醫生在說話前先將血壓計的繫帶鬆開。
The screws on the garden gate loosened over time from the wind and rain.
花園大門上的螺絲隨著風吹雨打，時間一久就鬆脫了。
- loosen a screw/bolt/nut
- loosen a knot/strap
- loosen one's grip/hold
- screw/bolt/nut/knot loosens (intransitive)
文法句型
loosen + object (bolt, screw, knot, grip)
object + loosens (intransitive)
用法筆記
Frequently used with concrete physical objects (fasteners, knots, straps, grips). The intransitive form describes something coming loose on its own rather than being actively undone.
常見錯誤
2. to make an item of clothing, a belt, or your hair less tight or unfastened after
放鬆；解開
將衣物或頭髮從繫緊狀態放寬
to make an item of clothing, a belt, or your hair less tight or unfastened after it has been tied, buttoned, or pulled back.
The businesswoman loosened her scarf when she entered the warm office.
這位女商人走進溫暖的辦公室後，把圍巾放鬆了一些。
collocation: loosen + scarf/tie/collar/belt
After the wedding ceremony, the bride loosened her hair and changed into comfortable clothes.
婚禮結束後，新娘將頭髮解開，換上了舒適的衣服。
collocation: loosen + hair/ponytail/braid
The runner loosened her shoelaces after crossing the finish line.
跑者在越過終點線後，將鞋帶解開。
Dad loosened his belt after the big New Year dinner.
爸爸在吃過豐盛的除夕大餐後，把皮帶放鬆了一些。
- loosen your tie/collar
- loosen your belt/waistband
- loosen your shoelaces/laces
- loosen your hair/ponytail/braid
- loosen a scarf/necktie
文法句型
loosen + item of clothing (tie, belt, collar)
loosen + hair/ponytail
用法筆記
Only used transitively. The object is always something you wear or style on your body — clothing, accessories, or hair. Cannot be used intransitively.
常見錯誤
3. to reduce the strictness of a rule, system, or control — for example, making reg
放寬；鬆綁
降低規定或限制的嚴格程度
to reduce the strictness of a rule, system, or control — for example, making regulations easier to follow or standards less severe.
The government loosened the rules on small businesses to help the economy grow.
政府放寬了對小型企業的規定，以幫助經濟成長。
collocation: loosen + rules/regulations/restrictions
The school loosened its dress code, allowing students to wear casual clothes.
學校放寬了服裝規定，允許學生穿休閒服裝。
collocation: loosen + dress code/policy/standards
After the lockdown ended, the city loosened travel restrictions between neighboring areas.
封城結束後，該市放寬了鄰近地區之間的旅遊限制。
The bank loosened its lending rules so more families could qualify for home loans.
銀行放寬了貸款條件，讓更多家庭能夠符合房屋貸款的資格。
- loosen restrictions/controls
- loosen rules/regulations
- loosen a dress code/policy
- loosen lending rules/standards
- loosen the laws
- relax
very similar in meaning but far more common; 'relax the rules' is the standard phrase
- ease
suggests a gradual reduction in severity; 'ease restrictions' is common in news reporting
- liberalize
more formal and stronger — implies making rules much freer or removing them entirely
文法句型
loosen + abstract noun (rules, restrictions, controls, standards)
用法筆記
Object is always abstract (rules, restrictions, controls, standards, policies). Common in news, business, and official contexts. Frequently passive: 'restrictions were loosened.'