Phrasal Verbs

lighten up

This page is about the phrasal verb lighten up

INFORMAL

Meaning

to become less serious or more easy-going

Synonym

loosen up (informal)

For example

  • My boss is so serious all the time. I wish she'd lighten up and joke around with us sometimes.

  • Salima said that if Kareem doesn't lighten up and learn to have some fun, she'll stop seeing him and look for someone else.

Quick Quiz

Jonas needs to lighten up a bit. He's

a. way too serious

b. much too dark

c. far too heavy
a) way too serious b) much too dark c) far too heavy

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey