Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb tense_up

2 senses of tense up

Sense 1
tense, tense up -- (become tense, nervous, or uneasy; "He tensed up when he saw his opponent enter the room")
       => change state, turn -- (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election")

Sense 2
tense, strain, tense up -- (cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious; "he got a phone call from his lawyer that tensed him up")
       => affect -- (act physically on; have an effect upon; "the medicine affects my heart rate")