relax

relax

re‧lax S3 W3 AC /rɪˈlæks/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: adjective: relaxed, relaxing; verb: relax; noun: relaxation]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: relaxare 'to loosen', from laxus 'loose']
1. REST [intransitive and 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.
2. BECOME CALM [intransitive and 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.
3. MUSCLE [intransitive and 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.
4. RULES/LAWS [transitive] to make a rule or law less strict
relax rules/regulations/controls
Hughes believes that immigration controls should not be relaxed.
5. relax your hold/grip
a) to hold something less tightly than before
relax your hold/grip on
He relaxed his grip on my arm.
b) to become less strict in the way you control something
relax your hold/grip on
The party has no intention of relaxing its hold on the country.
6. relax your concentration/vigilance etc to reduce the amount of attention you give to something
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ relax 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.