實體上的放鬆
核心畫面的字面版本：手上摸得到的東西被放出空隙。
loosen, make less tight · verb · C2
To make a thing less tight or less firmly fixed, or to become less tight or less firmly fixed.
鬆開
核心畫面
One way to picture it: something was held tight, and now the grip is let out a little. Not released, not undone — just given slack, so there is room to move where there was none.
本來繃緊、卡死的東西，被放出了一點空隙。注意不是「鬆掉」也不是「解開」——螺絲還在、手還在、規定還在，只是留出了可以…更多收起
本來繃緊、卡死的東西，被放出了一點空隙。注意不是「鬆掉」也不是「解開」——螺絲還在、手還在、規定還在，只是留出了可以動的餘地。loosen 的重點永遠是那個「多出來的空間」，而不是完全放手；完全放開是 release，鬆到掉了是 come loose。Four branches
規則與限制的放寬
把「繃緊的東西」換成規定：規定不取消，只是給出活動空間。
loosen, relax rules · verb · C2
To make laws, rules, or other limits less strict.
放寬
抓握與掌控的放開
這一支的「繃緊」是握住的那隻手——手可以是真的手，也可以是權力。
loosen, hold less tightly · verb · C2
To hold a person or a thing less tightly than you were holding them before.
鬆手
讓人開口
這次繃緊的是嘴——閉緊的口被放鬆，話就流出來了。
loosen someone's tongue · verb · C2
To make someone talk more than usual, especially about things they usually keep quiet.
打開話匣
原始詞典資料8 筆記錄
以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，原文照列，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。
loosenverb/ˈluːsən/
- 1
To make loose.
- to loosen a knot; to loosen one's grip / hold on something
- After the Thanksgiving meal, Bill loosened his belt.
- 2
To become loose.
- I noticed that my seatbelt had gradually loosened during the journey.
- The subtile shower the earth hath softned so, And with the waues, the trees tost to and fro; That the rootes loosen, and the tops downe sway, So that whole Forrests quickly swimme away.
- 3
To disengage (a device that restrains).
- At Liberty th’ unfetter’d Captive stands, And flings the loosen’d Shackles from his Hands.
- He easily comprehended, that the noise which he had heard was occasioned by his having loosened a chain which attached the image to its pedestal.
- 4
To become unfastened or undone.
- Immediately my Shackles loosened and fell away of themselves […]
- 5
To free from restraint; to set at liberty.
- This is an admirable Rule; a Painter ought to have it perpetually present in his Mind and Memory. […] it loosens his hands, and assists his understanding.
- […] Valancourt, willing to take a more extensive view of the enchanting country, into which they were about to descend, than he could do from a carriage, loosened his dogs, and once more bounded with them along the banks of the road.
- 6
To relieve (the bowels) from constipation; to promote defecation.
- 1626, Francis Bacon, Sylva Sylvarum: or A Naturall Historie, London: William Lee, Century 1, p. 14, […] Feare looseneth the Belly; because the Heat retiring inwards towards the Heart, the Gutts and other Parts are relaxed;
- […] omitting the vehicle of water and honey, which is of a laxative power it selfe, the powder of some Loadstones in this dose doth rather constipate and binde, then purge and loosen the belly.
- 7
obsoleteTo create a breach or rift between (two parties).
- I had rather lose the battle than that sister Should loosen him and me.
- 8
obsoleteTo sail away (from the shore).
- […] after the .iiii. day of oure arryuall in Britayne, the eightene shyps that we spake of before, which hadde the horsemen to conuey ouer, loosened from the further hauen with a soft wynd.
資料來源：英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary（CC BY-SA 4.0）。 原文照列，未經改寫。