re‧lax S3 W3 AC / rɪlæks / 动词

1 rest [不及物和及物动词] 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 [不及物和及物动词] 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 [不及物和及物动词] 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 [及物动词] 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.