loosen

v.

I tr.

1 (to untie) sciogliere, slegare, slacciare.

2 (to make less tight) allentare (anche fig): to loosen one's tie allentarsi la cravatta; to loosen discipline allentare la disciplina.

3 (to make less cohesive) staccare, distaccare.

4 (of the bowels) liberare, sgombrare.

5 (Farm) (of a cough) alleviare.

II intr.

allentarsi: his grip loosened la sua presa si allentò.

loosen up

to loosen sth.* up (of the muscles) sciogliere, rendere più agile;

to loosen up: 1 (of the muscles) sciogliersi, diventare più agile; 2 (colloq) (to become less tense or reserved) rilasciarsi, lasciarsi andare.
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