The dictator refuses to relax his grip on power.

独裁者拒绝放松对权力的控制。

《牛津词典》

After a few weeks of firm control, the teacher was able to relax his grip on the class, who continued to obey him out of habit.

几周的严格管理后，这位老师终于放松了对这个班学生的控制，因为他们已习惯于服从他的管教了。

youdao

Unless, that is, Mr Cardoso bows to the continuing political pressures to relax his tight grip on public spending.

ECONOMIST: Brazil��s government debt