tight

Everyday

1. Tight means fitting very closely, with little space: tight shoes, a tight lid. tree →
2. Tight means pulled or stretched firmly: a tight rope. tree →
3. Tight means held strongly: hold on tight. tree →
4. Tight can mean with very little time or money to spare: a tight schedule. tree →
5. A tight game is very close, with nobody far ahead. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life «tight» describes clothes that are too small, lids that won't open, knots and seat belts. In safety lessons: hold on tight on a swing or bus; a helmet must fit snugly; but a cord or scarf tight around the neck is dangerous. In science a tight knot or tight lid keeps things sealed. Phrases: hold tight, sleep tight, a tight fit, tight-lipped, airtight, watertight.

Examples

• These shoes are too tight; my toes hurt. tree →
• Hold on tight to the rope! tree →
• I can't open this jar; the lid is too tight. tree →
• Pull the knot tight so the boat doesn't float away. tree →
• Good night, sleep tight! tree →
• The match was tight until the very last minute. tree →
• Screw the cap on tightly so the juice doesn't leak. tree →
• We have a tight budget, so we can't buy everything. tree →
• So Ib held the nut very tight. tree →

Note

Comparison: tighter, tightest. After «hold», «sleep», «shut», use «tight» (hold tight); before a verb, use «tightly» (tightly closed). Opposite: loose (not «lose», which means to stop having something). Airtight = no air gets in; watertight = no water gets in.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life «tight» describes clothes that are too small, lids that won't open, knots and seat belts. In safety lessons: hold on tight on a swing or bus; a helmet must fit snugly; but a cord or scarf tight around the neck is dangerous. In science a tight knot or tight lid keeps things sealed. Phrases: hold tight, sleep tight, a tight fit, tight-lipped, airtight, watertight.

Examples

• Their gross heart they have shut tight, with their mouth they speak proudly. (Writings PSA.17.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Comparison: tighter, tightest. After «hold», «sleep», «shut», use «tight» (hold tight); before a verb, use «tightly» (tightly closed). Opposite: loose (not «lose», which means to stop having something). Airtight = no air gets in; watertight = no water gets in.