on edge

on edge — 慣用語

1. feeling irritable and quick to become angry or impatient, reacting with sharpnes

1.慣用語B1
釋義

緊張不安

緊張煩躁易怒

feeling irritable and quick to become angry or impatient, reacting with sharpness to small annoyances that would not normally bother you — for example, snapping at a family member who asks a simple question

例句

The team was on edge after hearing about the sudden layoffs at the company.

聽聞公司突然裁員的消息後，整個團隊都緊張不安。

be + on edge (state of tension after an event)

Mark felt constantly on edge during exam week, unable to sit still or sleep well.

Mark 在考試週期間一直感到緊張不安，無法安坐也睡不好。

feel + on edge with intensifying adverb

常見搭配
  • feel on edge
  • be on edge
  • put someone on edge
  • set someone on edge
  • seem on edge
  • constantly on edge
同義詞
  • tense

    focuses on the physical tightness rather than the emotional agitation

  • jumpy

    more informal, suggests being easily startled

  • uneasy

    implies a vague discomfort rather than sharp tension

  • keyed up

    informal, suggests nervous excitement rather than anxiety

反義詞
  • relaxed

    the opposite state — calm and free from tension

  • calm

    suggests emotional composure and lack of agitation

文法句型

be on edge

feel on edge

put [sb] on edge

用法筆記

Often used with intensifying adverbs such as 'very', 'constantly', or 'increasingly'. The causative pattern 'put/set someone on edge' is common when describing what triggers the tension. Contrast with sense 2: sense 1 describes irritable reactivity to immediate annoyances, whereas sense 2 describes worried anticipation of an uncertain future outcome.

常見錯誤

She was on the edge before her speech.
She was on edge before her speech.
The idiom omits the article 'the'; 'on the edge' means the literal rim of something.

2. feeling anxious and full of worry while you wait for something important but unc

2.慣用語B1
釋義

焦慮擔心

因等待結果而焦慮

feeling anxious and full of worry while you wait for something important but uncertain to happen, with your thoughts focused on what the outcome might be — for example, waiting for medical test results, a job interview decision, or news about a loved one's safety

例句

The passengers grew increasingly on edge as the flight was delayed for the fourth time.

航班第四次延誤時，乘客們越來越焦慮不安。

grow + on edge (gradual change of state)

Greta was on edge all morning, waiting for the hospital to call with her results.

Greta 整個早上都坐立不安，等著醫院打電話通知她的檢查結果。

be on edge + waiting for (specific situation)

常見搭配
  • on edge about
  • on edge over
  • increasingly on edge
  • grow on edge
  • wait on edge
同義詞
  • anxious

    the closest synonym, covers both mild worry and deep fear

  • worried

    more everyday, less intense than 'anxious'

  • restless

    focuses on the physical inability to stay still due to worry

  • edgy

    informal, similar meaning but also carries a connotation of being easily irritated

反義詞
  • calm

    free from worry and agitation

  • at ease

    suggests comfort and a lack of concern

文法句型

be on edge about [sth]

feel on edge over [sth]

grow on edge

用法筆記

Commonly followed by 'about' or 'over' to specify the source of worry (e.g., 'on edge about the exam'). 'Grow on edge' and 'increasingly on edge' emphasise a building sense of anxiety over time. Contrast with sense 1: sense 2 describes worried anticipation of a future outcome, whereas sense 1 describes irritable reactivity to present annoyances.

常見錯誤

The movie was really on edge.
The movie was really tense / nerve-wracking.
'On edge' describes a person's emotional state, not the quality of a thing or experience.