Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
tense-up
phrasal verb
/tɛns ʌp/
Definition
To become anxious or nervous, causing muscles to stiffen or tighten.
Examples
- Before the big presentation, she started to tense-up and could barely speak.
- When the team realized they were behind in the game, they began to tense-up, affecting their performance.
- He tends to tense-up when he takes exams, making it harder to focus.
Meaning
Tense-up typically refers to the physical and mental state of becoming more rigid and anxious, often in response to stress or pressure.
Synonyms
- tighten
- stiffen
- become anxious
- get nervous
