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to tense up
[phrase form: tense]
01
to create a state of tension and discomfort
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Separable
Particle
up
Base verb
tense
Present tense
tense up
3rd person singular
tenses up
Present participle
tensing up
Past simple
tensed up
Past participle
tensed up
Examples
The unexpected news about the project delay tensed up the entire team.
02
to feel nervous without any specific reason
Examples
Whenever he enters a crowded room, he tends to tense up.
