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.

"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these noises."

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2025

I didn’t realize he was traveling with a protective detail until I saw two men in suits tense up as I approached him to say hello.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 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

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

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2023

Everything good and alive and hopeful made her smile, but what was left to fall into ruin made her tense up and turn her head away.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos