Tight as a drum
Taut or close-fitting; also, watertight. For example, That baby’s eaten so much that the skin on his belly is tight as a drum, or You needn’t worry about leaks; this tent is tight as a drum. Originally this expression alluded to the skin of a drumhead, which is tightly stretched, and in the mid-1800s was transferred to other kinds of tautness. Later, however, it sometimes referred to a drum-shaped container, such as an oil drum, which had to be well sealed to prevent leaks, and the expression then signified “watertight.”
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- Tight as a tick
tiger sweat tight as a tick Drunk, as in She was tight as a tick after just one glass of wine. This expression alludes to a tick engorged with the blood of the animals it feeds on. [ ; mid-1800s ]
- Tightass
noun 1. (slang, mainly US) an inhibited or excessively self-controlled person
- Tighten
verb (used with or without object) 1. to make or become tight or tighter. verb 1. to make or become tight or tighter 2. tighten one’s belt, to economize
- Tight-end
noun, Football. 1. an offensive player positioned at one extremity of the line directly beside a tackle, used as both a blocker and a pass receiver.
- Tightened
verb (used with or without object) 1. to make or become tight or tighter. verb 1. to make or become tight or tighter 2. tighten one’s belt, to economize