relax

relax (one's) hold on (someone or something)

1. To stop gripping or holding onto someone or something as tightly as before; to loosen one's grasp on someone or something. Don't relax your hold on that cable for even a second, or the entire rigging could come crashing down! I relaxed my hold on the other player for a moment, and he managed to get out of my tackle.
2. To strop trying to control someone or something as completely or dominatingly as before. The dictator has been showing signs that he may be relaxing his hold on the country a bit, as he is allowing foreign members of the press in for the first time in over 50 years. If you think my father will ever relax his hold on the company, you've got another think coming. You need to learn to relax your hold on your kids. They've got to make their own decisions in life eventually.
See also: hold, on, relax

relax into (something)

1. To sit, lean, or recline into something and rest one's body. After such a long day at work, it feels good to finally crack open a beer and relax into my favorite armchair. I relaxed into my bath to try to ease the tension in my aching muscles.
2. To feel more comfortable, confident, and able in a particular role, job, position, etc. I'm not sued to giving people orders, so it took me a while to relax into this new position of authority. She seemed quite nervous at first, but she's finally relaxing into the role.
See also: relax
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

relax into something

 
1. to sit or lie down in something, relaxing. I want to go home and relax into my easy chair. I relaxed into the reclining chair and was asleep in a few moments.
2. [for something that is tense] to assume a more relaxed shape or condition. His cramped muscle finally relaxed into a soft mass of tissue. As her tight neck relaxed into softness, her face brightened.
See also: relax

relax one's hold on someone or something

to lessen one's grasp on someone or something. When she relaxed her hold on me, I got away. Never relax your hold on an alligator.
See also: hold, on, relax
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • be rough on (someone or something)
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Once the performance is over, it's time to relax and Lucas's favorite treat is dinner at Boston Pizza.
In their words: a closer look at the Collaborative Conference opening session artists
One of the most common responses I get on my labor assistant evaluations after a birth is that the couple (both the woman and her partner) was able to relax once I arrived at the birth.
Understanding relaxation for labor and birth. (Continuing Education)(Cover Story)
It's also important to relax your bow hand; because once the string is released, your bow hand is your only contact with the bow.
Relax
"The big advantage for us is that Relax the Back knows what kinds of products have to be made for the future.
RELAX THE BACK KEEPS BUSINESS AS USUAL
Of course, the polymers "want" to return to their natural relaxed state.
Incredible shrinking clothes
Yoga is one of the best ways to relax and switch off and it will teach you how to meditate.
The Clinic
"Come here and be yourself, enjoy your treatment and just relax.'' All clients receive a personal welcome at Alexandra House and no treatments are ever rushed.
An oasis of calm and tranquility; ADVERTISING FEATURE
"It is a very relaxing area, so we find that if a child is going to start being disruptive in the classroom we bring them to chill out for 15 minutes and they completely relax. It means that fewer classes are being affected by negative behaviour - we've noticed a significant difference already."
Pupils get a chill zone; IN BRIEF
Ruth Kelly announced in November that airports will be allowed to relax their baggage restrictions in the New Year.
Luggage restrictions stay for some; AVIATION
Relax the body as much as possible, without collapsing.
Taiji: the challenge of moving slow
Your foot or toe involuntarily pulls up and then relaxes again.
A long winter's nap
This will be one of the most luxurious and relaxed trips to the doctor you'll ever take.
The business of getting away: tired, overworked, stressed? We've got retreats for you
Puff your cheeks out, hold for three seconds and relax. Puff your face again, push the air into your left cheek, then the right.
Viva: Alternatively speaking. .
Chances are your quadriceps are tight and unable to relax enough to allow a full descent without difficulty.
The effects of posture on running performance: a case study
Cabinet is a mobile sensory unit that carries various accessories that help a resident relax, reflect, and reminisce in a calming atmosphere to reduce anxiety, pain, and discomfort.
Complementary comfort on request