to ease up

USAGE SUMMARY

"to ease up" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to reducing intensity, pressure, or effort in a situation. Example: "After a long week of work, I decided to ease up and take a break." Alternative expressions include "to relax," "to lighten up," and "to take it easy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

How to ease up on a clutch.

The New York Times - Magazine

The police need to ease up".

The New York Times

I warned him to ease up.

Independent

She'd expected to ease up to this.

The New Yorker

Things have begun to ease up somewhat in Iraq.

The New Yorker

"And I probably need to ease up a little bit".

The New York Times

And he has no plans to ease up.

The New York Times

Now, some opponents begged Smith to ease up.

The New York Times - Sports

Here, too, the president has chosen to ease up.

The Economist

Mauer's body has told him he needs to ease up.

The New York Times - Sports

He would also do well to ease up on repression.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to ease up" when you want to suggest a reduction in effort, pressure, or intensity. It's versatile and applicable in both physical and abstract contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to ease up" when a more specific term like "to stop" or "to quit" is more appropriate. "To ease up" implies a gradual reduction, not a complete cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "to ease up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating a reduction in intensity, pressure, or effort. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from sports to politics, demonstrating its broad applicability. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

General Usage

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to ease up" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a reduction in intensity, pressure, or effort. As demonstrated by Ludwig's numerous examples, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from sports and politics to general advice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and acceptability in standard English. When using "to ease up", remember that it implies a gradual reduction rather than a complete cessation, and consider more specific alternatives if necessary. With its neutral register and broad applicability, "to ease up" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to let up

Suggests a temporary cessation or reduction in something, closely related to "to ease up" in terms of diminishing intensity.

to relax

Focuses more on reducing tension or anxiety, whereas "to ease up" can also refer to reducing physical effort.

to take it easy

Suggests a more casual approach and less exertion, similar to "to ease up" but often used in a more relaxed context.

to lighten up

Implies becoming less serious or severe in attitude or behavior, differing slightly from the broader applications of "to ease up".

to back off

Implies retreating from a position or reducing pressure, related to "to ease up" in terms of reducing intensity but often carries a sense of avoidance.

to slow down

Specifically refers to reducing speed or pace, while "to ease up" can apply to various aspects of intensity, not just speed.

to de-escalate

Specifically refers to reducing the intensity of a conflict or tense situation, unlike the more general application of "to ease up".

to slacken

Indicates a reduction in tension or effort, but is less commonly used in everyday conversation compared to "to ease up".

to soften

Implies making something less harsh or severe, differing from "to ease up" which encompasses broader reductions in effort or pressure.

to give way

Suggests yielding or relenting, different from "to ease up" which focuses on reducing intensity or effort.

FAQs

How can I use "to ease up" in a sentence?

You can use "to ease up" to indicate a reduction in effort or pressure. For example: "The coach told the team "to ease up" after they secured a significant lead."

What is a good alternative to "to ease up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to relax", "to lighten up", or "to take it easy".

When is it appropriate to use "to ease up" versus "to stop"?

"To ease up" implies a gradual reduction in intensity, whereas "to stop" suggests a complete cessation. For example, you might "ease up" on the pressure, but "stop" a harmful activity.

Is "to ease up on" grammatically correct?

Yes, "to ease up on" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a reduction in the severity or intensity of something applied to someone or something. For example: "The teacher decided "to ease up on" the homework load."