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
Jessi Gold, a psychiatrist based in Tennessee, is trying to use social media mindfully, mostly by actively noticing when she’s starting to tense up or grind her teeth.
From Slate • Jan. 4, 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
Some people tense up when one action comes after another in a sentence.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
