relaxre‧lax /rɪˈlæks/ ●●● S3 W3 AWL verb 
I just want to sit down and relax. What Robyn needed was a drink to relax her. A hot bath should help to relax you.2become calm [intransitive, transitive] to become quiet and calm after you have been upset or nervous, or to make someone do this: Once out of danger, he started to relax. Relax! Everything’s fine.3muscle [intransitive, transitive] if you relax a part of your body or it relaxes, it becomes less stiff or less tight: Gentle exercise can relax stiff shoulder muscles.4rules/laws [transitive] to make a rule or law less strictrelax rules/regulations/controls Hughes believes that immigration controls should not be relaxed.5relax your hold/grip a)to hold something less tightly than beforerelax on He relaxed his grip on my arm. b)to become less strict in the way you control somethingrelax on The party has no intention of relaxing its hold on the country.6relax your concentration/vigilance etc to reduce the amount of attention you give to somethingTHESAURUSrelax to rest or do something that is enjoyable after you have been working: · In the evenings, I like to relax with some music and a nice meal.· In two weeks’ time I’ll be relaxing on a beach in Greece.rest to stop working or stop being active, and sit down or lie down so that you become less tired: · If you’re tired, we’ll stop and rest for a while.· The doctor told me to take some time off work and try to rest.unwind to gradually relax after you have been working hard or feeling anxious: · It had been a bad day and he just wanted to get home and unwind.· Set in spectacular countryside, the Shiga Hotel is the perfect place to unwind.take it/things easy to relax and not do very much, especially after working very hard or being ill: · Now that you’ve finished your exams, you can take it easy.· The doctor said he’ll have to take things easy for while.put your feet up informal to rest for a short time after a tiring activity, especially by sitting with your feet resting on something: · Kate poured herself a drink and put her feet up.· When you’re pregnant and doing a full-time job, you must find time to put your feet up.chill out/chill informal to relax completely, or stop worrying and getting annoyed about things – used mainly by young people: · We spent the day chilling out by the pool.· Hey dude, chill out! It’s only a car!· It’s a great place to chill out.· Let’s go back to my place and chill.loosen up informal to become more relaxed and stop worrying about things: · I keep telling Mum that she needs to loosen up a bit.· Tom had had a few drinks and was beginning to loosen up.put somebody at ease/make somebody feel at ease to make someone feel relaxed, especially in a situation in which they might feel a little nervous: · A good interviewer will try to make you feel at ease.· His friendly manner always puts people at their ease.
WORD ORIGINrelax
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin relaxare ‘to loosen’, from laxus ‘loose’VERB TABLE
relax
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | relax |
| he, she, it | relaxes | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | relaxed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have relaxed |
| he, she, it | has relaxed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had relaxed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will relax |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have relaxed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am relaxing |
| he, she, it | is relaxing | |
| you, we, they | are relaxing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was relaxing |
| you, we, they | were relaxing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been relaxing |
| he, she, it | has been relaxing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been relaxing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be relaxing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been relaxing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Drink this. It will help you relax.
- For heaven's sake Keith, will you just sit down and relax for five minutes!
- Hey, relax, you're going to be all right.
- Just sit back and relax, and enjoy the music.
- Just wait! In two weeks' time I'll be relaxing on a beach in Greece.
- Local residents are protesting against plans to relax laws controlling pub opening hours.
- Meditation relaxes you and makes you feel more healthy.
- Take a deep breath, and relax.
- The drink relaxed him so much he fell asleep.
- The government proposes to relax the rules on bringing pets into the country.
- They had a lovely weekend, relaxing and lying by the pool.
- Trained staff will look after your children, so that you can relax and enjoy yourself.
- What Robin needed was a good drink to relax her.
- At the sound of her voice, something in me relaxed.
- In the evening the aim is to relax the body.
- Postponement, says Kohl, is unacceptable, but so is relaxing the rules of entry.
- The cockpit crew, including Joe who had never been in a gale before in his life, began to relax.
- We sat and relaxed for an hour, or two.
THESAURUS
to rest or do something that is enjoyable after you have been working: · In the evenings, I like to relax with some music and a nice meal.· In two weeks’ time I’ll be relaxing on a beach in Greece.
to stop working or stop being active, and sit down or lie down so that you become less tired: · If you’re tired, we’ll stop and rest for a while.· The doctor told me to take some time off work and try to rest.
to gradually relax after you have been working hard or feeling anxious: · It had been a bad day and he just wanted to get home and unwind.· Set in spectacular countryside, the Shiga Hotel is the perfect place to unwind.
to relax and not do very much, especially after working very hard or being ill: · Now that you’ve finished your exams, you can take it easy.· The doctor said he’ll have to take things easy for while.
informal to rest for a short time after a tiring activity, especially by sitting with your feet resting on something: · Kate poured herself a drink and put her feet up.· When you’re pregnant and doing a full-time job, you must find time to put your feet up.
informal to relax completely, or stop worrying and getting annoyed about things – used mainly by young people: · We spent the day chilling out by the pool.· Hey dude, chill out! It’s only a car!· It’s a great place to chill out.· Let’s go back to my place and chill.
informal to become more relaxed and stop worrying about things: · I keep telling Mum that she needs to loosen up a bit.· Tom had had a few drinks and was beginning to loosen up.
to make someone feel relaxed, especially in a situation in which they might feel a little nervous: · A good interviewer will try to make you feel at ease.· His friendly manner always puts people at their ease.
Longman Language Activatorto relax to make yourself feel calmer, more comfortable, and less worried, by resting or doing something enjoyable: · Just wait! In two weeks' time I'll be relaxing on a beach in Greece.· Trained staff will look after your children, so that you can relax and enjoy yourself.· For heaven's sake Keith, will you just sit down and relax for five minutes!
to gradually relax after you have been working hard or worrying a lot: · After a couple of drinks, Tom began to unwind.· Set in spectacular countryside, the Shiga Hotel is the perfect place to unwind. · The world motorcross champion likes nothing better than unwinding in front of the TV.
to do everything slowly and with less effort than usual so that you do not become worried or tired, especially because you are not feeling strong or healthy: · Now that you've finished your exams, you can take it easy.· I'm going to put my feet up and take it easy this afternoon.take things easy: · Pete will still have to take things easy for while.· My training schedule was very demanding last year, so I'm taking things a bit easier this year.take it easy on yourself: · Take it easy on yourself for a few days. We'll talk later.
informal if you loosen up , you become more relaxed and stop worrying about things: · Hey, loosen up! It's not worth getting upset about something she said.· Our drama teacher would do crazy things, just to get us to loosen up some.
spoken informal to relax and calm down, especially after doing something exciting: · The main reason I'm going to Jamaica is so I can lie on the beach and chill out without being distracted.· Would you like to come back to my place and just chill?
informal to relax completely and enjoy yourself, especially in social situations: · I spotted Juanita really letting her hair down on the dance floor.· Chat rooms on the Internet are a place we can let our hair down and say what we think.
to allow yourself to completely relax in a social situation, and not worry about what is polite, or about what other people may think: · He's quite scholarly, but he can be really funny when he lets himself go.· Dick took me to the party and, for once, I let myself go completely.
to make someone feel more relaxed · Meditation relaxes you and makes you feel more healthy.· The drink relaxed him so much he fell asleep.
also put somebody at their ease British to make someone feel more relaxed, especially by talking to them in a calm, friendly way when they are in a difficult or worrying situation: · I did my best to make him feel at ease before the interview began.· Ginsberg had a talent for putting people instantly at ease.· He had succeeded in putting her at her ease, despite her natural shyness.
informal if someone or something loosens you up , they make you feel happier and more relaxed about the things that are worrying you: loosen up somebody: · Uncle Billy was a great preacher -- he sure could loosen a crowd up.loosen somebody up: · At first, I just started drinking at parties, to help loosen me up.
making you feel calm, comfortable, and not worried: · a relaxing massage· Tuscany is a good choice for a relaxing holiday.· Do something relaxing before going to bed -- read a book, or take a hot bath.
feeling relaxed feeling calm, comfortable, and not worried or annoyed: · The people in Hawaii are so relaxed -- I could have stayed another fortnight.· Looking relaxed and confident, the president answered a barrage of questions from the press. feel relaxed: · I think people feel more relaxed wearing casual clothes.
informal relaxed, and not easily worried or annoyed: · My parents are pretty laid-back and don't mind me staying out late.· He seems like a laid-back kind of a guy.· a laid-back lifestyle
informal happy and relaxed, and not often annoyed or angry: · You were always so relaxed and easy-going. It was one of the things I liked about you.· William did his best to maintain an easy-going, friendly relationship with everyone at camp.
feeling relaxed in a situation in which most people might feel a little nervous, uncomfortable, or anxious: · I've always felt completely at ease among the Palestinians.be/feel at ease with: · He was surprised to find himself so at ease with her father.· After six months in the job, I was starting to feel more at ease with the kids.
happy and without worries, especially because you are with someone you like and trust or because you are in a situation you are used to: be/feel comfortable with: · A lot of our female patients are not comfortable with the idea of a male doctor.be/feel comfortable doing something: · When choosing a baby-sitter, look for someone both you and your child feel comfortable with.· Would you be comfortable using this type of machinery?· This is an emotional issue, which most people aren't comfortable talking about.
to feel relaxed because you are in a place or situation similar to one that you know very well: · As in your previous job, we also use computers a lot -- so you should feel right at home here.feel at home with: · He was fond of using his hands and felt at home with machinery.feel at home doing something: · Right now, I feel more at home writing for the stage rather than film.
very relaxed in the company of other people, and not at all shy about showing your true feelings and opinions: · Her acting is completely spontaneous and uninhibited.· The Trobrand islanders are happy, sexually uninhibited people.uninhibited about: · The boys were quite uninhibited about performing in front of strangers.
to make rules less strict to make rules, laws, or controls less strict: · The government proposes to relax the rules on bringing pets into the country.· Local residents are protesting against plans to relax laws controlling pub opening hours.
what you say to someone when you want them to be calm spoken say this when someone is angry, upset, or excited and you want them to think calmly or speak calmly again: · Calm down! Everything's going to be OK.· If you don't calm down, Mom's going to know something's wrong.
spoken say this to someone who is worried or frightened about something, in order to stop them worrying: · Relax! This won't hurt at all.· You can relax now - it's all over.
spoken informal say this when someone is angry or upset, and you want to stop them saying or doing anything stupid: · Hey, take it easy! Nobody's saying you're not good at your job.
spoken say this to someone to make them stop being worried: · It's okay, Chris, he's gone now.· It's all right, don't cry, Mummy's here.
spoken informal say this when someone is getting very nervous or worried, especially in a way that is annoying or unreasonable, and you want them to be calm - used especially by young people: · OK, it's all right - just chill out!· Just chill for a second - I'll figure something out.
to rest to stop working or stop being active, and sit down or lie down so that you become less tired: · If you're tired, we'll stop and rest for a while.· The doctor told me to take some time off work and try to rest.
also have a rest especially British to rest for a short time in the middle of a tiring activity: · Don't stay in front of the computer for long periods of time -- take a rest occasionally.· There was a TV in the hotel room, and sometimes I escaped up there to have a rest.take/have a rest from something: · A spokesman said that the Senator needed to take a rest from the campaign activity.
to do something that makes you feel calm and comfortable and helps you to forget about your work and problems: · Take a deep breath, and relax.· They had a lovely weekend, relaxing and lying by the pool.help somebody (to) relax: · Drink this. It will help you relax.
also have a break especially British to stop what you are doing for a short time, so that you can rest: · Let's take a break now for coffee.take/have a short/quick break: · Is it all right if we have a short break at about 10:30?take/have a break from something: · I spoke to the Secretary of State as he took a break from preparing his speech.
also have a lie down/go for a lie down British to put yourself in a flat position, usually on a bed, in order to rest when you are tired, although not necessarily in order to sleep: · During the day, I get so tired I have to lie down on the bed for a couple of hours.· Towards evening she grew tired, and went to her room for a lie down.
informal to rest for a short time after a tiring activity, especially by sitting with your feet resting on something: · Well, at least put your feet up for a few minutes. Would you like a drink?· When you're pregnant and doing a full-time job, you must find time to put your feet up.
to rest, especially by lying in a pleasant place, often when you should be working or doing something: laze in/on/around etc: · I found him lazing around in bed with a cup of coffee and the paper.· On the porch, two large cats sat lazing in the sun.
also take things easy to do things gently and with less effort than usual in order to avoid becoming worried or tired, especially because you are not feeling strong or healthy: · After the operation, I was told to take things easy for a month or two.· Maybe we should just go home and take it easy tonight.
spoken to spend time resting or doing something enjoyable which does not need much effort: · We chilled out in front of the TV with a couple of beers.· Yeah, my family left a few minutes ago, so I'm just chilling for a while.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Hughes believes that immigration controls should not be relaxed.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The restaurant’s new owners have created a welcoming ambience. She returned from lunch in a happier frame of mind.
Hughes believes that immigration controls should not be relaxed. The restaurant’s new owners have created a welcoming ambience.· Helen's flat has a very relaxed atmosphere.
· On Bali, there is a healthier, more relaxed attitude to life.
(=that you drink in a slow relaxed way)· The hotel terrace is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxing drink.
(=hold something less tightly)· Lee loosened his grip on the dog’s collar.
· Laughing, he loosened his hold until she could pull her arms free.
She returned from lunch in a happier frame of mind.· At the beginning of the negotiations, he was in a confident mood.
(=make them feel less tight)· A hot bath will help relax sore muscles.
(=make them less strict)· He has voted in favor of relaxing environmental regulations.
(=make them less strict)· There are restrictions on travel to Cuba by American citizens.
(=make them less strict)· Britain relaxed its immigration rules.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Her hands curled slowly into fists, the nails scoring the soft palms until she winced, and let them relax again.· As soon as they sit down and relax again, this irresistible urge returns.· Lift your legs slightly against the force of gravity, holding them for at least ten seconds, then let them relax again.· She stirred, a slight frown creasing her forehead, but her face relaxed again, and became peaceful.
· For this interview, talking just for the hell of it, he was immeasurably more relaxed.· People are more relaxed, more volatile.· This allowed the senior referees to relax more with their refereeing and the games flowed accordingly.· As a focus group later revealed, the more relaxed tone won the readers' interest.· Arid as I became more relaxed our love life returned to how it was before the children came along.· The weekends will include work but at a more relaxed pace.· But suits are more relaxed, often in bright colours and, again, no longer compulsory.· In the process of teaching me, she became more relaxed, and smiled.
· They were very relaxed about it.· It seemed to Verence that he was lying in a nice warm bath, which was very relaxing and comfortable.· Female speaker It's very relaxing.· He's very relaxed, she thought.· They were both sitting, this time, though the man's austerity had relaxed very little further than that.· They were very relaxed and Skip conveys the feeling that they were treating it more as a cruise than a race.· It's very relaxing to walk across the grass and get away from cars and buildings.· Moving on through the evening-they are very relaxed, as they eat dinner.
NOUN· During the evening paseo the atmosphere is more relaxed, but still quite formal.· The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed.· I found the atmosphere relaxed and very refreshing.· The atmosphere was relaxed with little pressure for performance.· These will be simpler for the candidate to answer and will therefore help to keep the atmosphere relaxed.
· It may be that a relaxed and cheerful attitude to socializing is the real protective against heart disease.
· It is often startling how people's faces soften and their bodies relax after crying.· As her mouth fell innocently open and her body relaxed, Ludovico Castelfranco examined her closely.· He was asleep but his body had not yet relaxed.· Robyn lay, eyes closed, and concentrated on keeping her mind blank and her body relaxed.· His body had now completely relaxed after his frantic efforts with Molly a few minutes before.· Gazzer felt his tired body relax as the heat unknotted tense and aching muscles.· The hand on her knee withdrew and Lucenzo's body relaxed.
· As a result, some countries are now slightly relaxing their most stringent controls.· His son, Chiang Chingkuo, further relaxed control.· It will help keep you relaxed and in control of the meeting.· Several new relaxations were announced, and the intention to continue relaxing controls as circumstances permitted was reaffirmed.· Some publishers maintain traditionally stringent standards, but others, in a competitive market, are relaxed about quality control.
· With slow wrinkling his stiff face relaxed now and then into a feminine tender smile.· Mchboob looked disappointed; his whole face relaxed into regret.· He nodded a kind, concerned face that relaxed into a shy smile; he too was enjoying our cultural connection.· His lean bony sun-tanned face was relaxed, concealing his high degree of alertness.· I turned around to face front, and relaxed.· The muscles in his face were relaxed, and there was a slight Buddha smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
· Never for one moment does this shimmering, simmering emotional desert storm of a film relax its grip on your senses.· Weeping with merriment, gleeful through and through, she never relaxed her grip.· When he tries to say something I relax my grip.· He relaxed his grip on the mug, rolled his sleeves down, pushed his chair back.· Try these drive-time tips to ease your commute: Keep a relaxed grip on the steering wheel.· The pilots cautiously relaxed their grip and let their muscles slacken.· But attitudes of this kind took time to gain the upper hand: the past relaxed its grip only slowly.
· Simply going for a walk can relax the mind and refresh the spirit - and it will make you fitter too.· Once you have learned to relax your mind in this way, your mental ability will be increased.· Some activity that will relax your mind is important too, especially just before bed.· She relaxed and her mind ran free.· Massage benefits A massage will help to relax your mind and body, and give your skin a thorough moisturising treatment.· However, it is important to look first at how to relax your mind.· All she wanted was to relax and clear her mind for the ordeal.· Anna Charsky, native of Leningrad, relaxed her mind and was soon asleep again.
· Once the danger is passed you shake as your muscles relax.· In addition, body temperature begins to drop and muscles begin to relax.· Then the tiniest of smiles came to her lips, the muscles about her eyes relaxing slightly as she saw.· The sedative effects of alcohol cause the throat muscle to relax too much and also interfere with the involuntary awakening mechanisms.· His jaw ached and he realised that he was grinding his teeth, so he released the muscles and tried to relax.· Open the fist and allow your muscles to relax.· As the tense muscles begin to relax, sometimes pent-up emotions are also freed.· I felt him unwind beside me, his arms and legs twitching as his muscles relaxed.
· The turbo itself muffles the bike's noise enough to make it road-legal under relaxed U.S. noise regulations.
· However, the board will not relax the rule requiring any product called tequila to contain 51 % agave.· Postponement, says Kohl, is unacceptable, but so is relaxing the rules of entry.· Last September the Government relaxed rules on foreign workers coming to Britain to combat skills shortages.· The judicial antipathy to relaxing the rule has been far from uniform.· The following month the government relaxed its rules on censorship.· Mr. Lester submitted that the time has come to relax the rule to the extent which I have mentioned.
· He says he will have time enough to relax and carouse when he's had a smash hit with his first novel.· This should be a time to relax, time off from the work of marriage.· Cycle backwards 30 times, then relax by cuddling your knees.· And as the time passes and people relax, you find them all aware that they need help.· Moreover, evenings were about the only time parents could relax together.· That means, in addition to daily support, they also get time off to relax together-alone.· I had a hard time relaxing during the West Coast shutdown.
VERB· Haydn's Nelson Mass allowed the choir to relax and enjoy singing.· Open the fist and allow your muscles to relax.· There is nothing to hook your fingers over and allow you to relax, so keep cool and keep going.· It is the attitude, the sense of entitlement that allows for relaxing maternal management.· She allowed her fingers to relax as his continued to twine with hers.
· Dole appeared relaxed and confident during the two campaign appearances on Sunday, bantering with crowds with ease.· A good kungfu man never stands rigidly; his posture has to appear natural and relaxed.· During remarks Thursday, Lucid appeared fit and relaxed.· She, like the 1930s girls, also appears in a relatively relaxed, candid pose.· Bird was poised on the court and he appeared relaxed as he went through the filming.· But Tuesday night she appeared soft, relaxed and regal, even in a businesslike black pants suit.· The 50-year-old incumbent and the 72-year-old challenger appeared equally relaxed, forceful and well rehearsed.
· As the days went by, however, and no further incident was reported, he began to relax.· In addition, body temperature begins to drop and muscles begin to relax.· By doing this your muscles will gradually begin to relax and feelings of calm and heaviness will develop naturally.· Within the solid walls of temple compounds in Kyoto or Nara, Charles began to relax.· Gradually, during the decade, they began to relax it soas to admit more and more controversial confessions.· The cockpit crew, including Joe who had never been in a gale before in his life, began to relax.· As the tense muscles begin to relax, sometimes pent-up emotions are also freed.· But just as she begins to relax a little more, the rhythm of the game changes.
· He felt completely lazy and relaxed.· One might think this would make us feel more relaxed about life.· She felt relaxed, rather warm inside.· Imagine a place that you love, where you feel relaxed and joyful.· I felt so warm and relaxed and lazy.· They make me feel comfortable and relaxed.· Braitman and Ehrenzweig like having it where they live, and feel its cooperative, relaxed ambience is very San Francisco.
· In either case, a good meal helps to relax the body and spirit and wind up the day.· Harold thinks it would help him relax in the evening and not hit the hard stuff so hard.· By lessening your own tension you help to relax others in your sphere; relaxation and tension are infectious.· Organizers made it a point to include music and poetry to help relax the atmosphere and lure more students.· It helps me relax after a hard day's rapping about controversial political and social issues.· But they will tell you that that first drag helps them relax.· It helps to relax you and provides a beat to keep the momentum going.· Which kinds of sounds help him relax and which are upsetting?
· Once you have learned to relax your mind in this way, your mental ability will be increased.· We learn to relax the muscles in our throat, jaws, even in our shoulders and back.· He must learn to relax more, not be racked by the tortured tenseness that had afflicted him for the past weeks.· Yoga or meditation may also be helpful in learning to relax.· There is one ailment where learning to relax is of special importance, and that is asthma.
· She screwed her face tight and then let go and relaxed the muscles.· This lets the gluten relax and then the dough should be more compliant.· Her hands curled slowly into fists, the nails scoring the soft palms until she winced, and let them relax again.· Leese had never let the Huey relax, so to speak.· The candle will light my cigarette, though. Let us relax, then.· The pressure is painful. Let us relax for the moment.· Just stop tensing and let the muscles relax with gravity.· Lift your legs slightly against the force of gravity, holding them for at least ten seconds, then let them relax again.
· He still felt ill, but the hysterics seemed to have relaxed him a bit.· She seemed relaxed, supportive, and responsive to his signals.· He regarded her for a moment and then seemed abruptly to relax.· To that end, the players seem relaxed enough about it.· Rose turned right, and seemed to relax a little.· I carry Jack in a cardboard box and he seems relaxed as we have a quiet conversation in the dark.· Yet she seems as relaxed as Lochlin.
· Price from £345.92 Left: From Nova's Imperial range, a comfortable wheeled lounger to sit and relax in.· They were, however, likely to stop, sit down and relax at 4 p. m. with tea and pastry.· The Sheikh Osman sat on, relaxed now.· Finally, he decides to unbuckle his belt, loosen his pants, sit back and relax.· I could then sit and relax and listen to the other violinists.· As soon as they sit down and relax again, this irresistible urge returns.· On this occasion, however, I sat back and relaxed as the parents erupted.· We sat and relaxed for an hour, or two.
· At last they can start to relax.· For the first time, she started to relax and take in her surroundings.· Then, just as the sentry was starting to relax, Mayne cocked his Colt.45 automatic.· He worked hard before a tournament and then just before starting he'd relax.· He only started to relax when he was out on the stone-chip drive and walking away from the house.· You will probably find that once the interview is under way you will start to relax.
· It is always helpful to try to relax the group prior to commencement, perhaps with a cup of tea.· So there was nothing else to do then but head for the Vareyoc Café and try to relax.· He was trying to relax Peter.· You have to try to relax, which some people find very difficult or even impossible.· She tries to relax her body.· Look at a particular point on the wall in front of you and try to relax.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- But attitudes of this kind took time to gain the upper hand: the past relaxed its grip only slowly.
- He relaxed his grip on the mug, rolled his sleeves down, pushed his chair back.
- Never for one moment does this shimmering, simmering emotional desert storm of a film relax its grip on your senses.
- The pilots cautiously relaxed their grip and let their muscles slacken.
- Then with excruciating slowness he relaxed his hold, allowing her to back away a pace.
- Weeping with merriment, gleeful through and through, she never relaxed her grip.
- When he tries to say something I relax my grip.
- I forced myself to open my fingers, to relax my vigilance, to fall asleep.
- Once they lose those bright feathers they can afford to relax their vigilance.
- Take care not to relax your concentration on the way up. 2.
WORD FAMILYadjectiverelaxedrelaxingnounrelaxationverbrelax
1rest [intransitive, transitive] to rest or do something that is enjoyable, especially after you have been working: I just want to sit down and relax. What Robyn needed was a drink to relax her. A hot bath should help to relax you.2become calm [intransitive, transitive] to become quiet and calm after you have been upset or nervous, or to make someone do this: Once out of danger, he started to relax. Relax! Everything’s fine.3muscle [intransitive, transitive] if you relax a part of your body or it relaxes, it becomes less stiff or less tight: Gentle exercise can relax stiff shoulder muscles.4rules/laws [transitive] to make a rule or law less strictrelax rules/regulations/controls Hughes believes that immigration controls should not be relaxed.5relax your hold/grip a)to hold something less tightly than beforerelax on He relaxed his grip on my arm. b)to become less strict in the way you control somethingrelax on The party has no intention of relaxing its hold on the country.6relax your concentration/vigilance etc to reduce the amount of attention you give to somethingTHESAURUSrelax to rest or do something that is enjoyable after you have been working: · In the evenings, I like to relax with some music and a nice meal.· In two weeks’ time I’ll be relaxing on a beach in Greece.rest to stop working or stop being active, and sit down or lie down so that you become less tired: · If you’re tired, we’ll stop and rest for a while.· The doctor told me to take some time off work and try to rest.unwind to gradually relax after you have been working hard or feeling anxious: · It had been a bad day and he just wanted to get home and unwind.· Set in spectacular countryside, the Shiga Hotel is the perfect place to unwind.take it/things easy to relax and not do very much, especially after working very hard or being ill: · Now that you’ve finished your exams, you can take it easy.· The doctor said he’ll have to take things easy for while.put your feet up informal to rest for a short time after a tiring activity, especially by sitting with your feet resting on something: · Kate poured herself a drink and put her feet up.· When you’re pregnant and doing a full-time job, you must find time to put your feet up.chill out/chill informal to relax completely, or stop worrying and getting annoyed about things – used mainly by young people: · We spent the day chilling out by the pool.· Hey dude, chill out! It’s only a car!· It’s a great place to chill out.· Let’s go back to my place and chill.loosen up informal to become more relaxed and stop worrying about things: · I keep telling Mum that she needs to loosen up a bit.· Tom had had a few drinks and was beginning to loosen up.put somebody at ease/make somebody feel at ease to make someone feel relaxed, especially in a situation in which they might feel a little nervous: · A good interviewer will try to make you feel at ease.· His friendly manner always puts people at their ease.