tense up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When one student appears to tense up with each trigger pull, Nguyen offers advice that could refer to meditation as easily as firearms, urging them to stop anticipating each shot and “let the gun decide.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2024

"We ignore them during the day, but our souls tense up when they ring at night," said resident Daniela Tanase.

From Reuters • Sep. 5, 2023

We often play Brianstorm near the beginning and I have to try not to tense up too much for that very reason.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2023

And pressuring yourself to do it right can cause you to tense up and make breathing deeply harder.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2023

But when you’re reaching like that, straining for the ball, you start to tense up and then you can’t do anything with the ball even if you do get it.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers