on edge

Idioms and Phrases

Tense, nervous, irritable, as in We were all on edge as we waited for the surgeon's report . This expression transfers the edge of a cutting instrument to one's feelings. [Late 1800s] Also see on the edge ; set one's teeth on edge .

Example Sentences

Political messages seem designed to keep voters “emotionally on edge,” said Vaile Wright, a licensed psychologist in Villa Park, Ill., and a member of the APA’s Stress in America team.

From Los Angeles Times

Moreover, the ability to fine-tune compressed LLMs on edge devices like a smartphone or laptop enhances privacy by allowing organizations and individuals to adapt models to their specific needs without sharing sensitive data with third-party providers.

From Science Daily

His parents are also on edge as they face an uncertain future.

From Los Angeles Times

Because they missed some Trump voters in 2016 and 2020, everyone is on edge that the same thing has happened again despite the pollsters' going out of their way to correct the problem this time.

From Salon

"I don't like being here, I feel hopeless and scared of the consequences that they are holding over my head with the threat of throwing me out, so I am on edge."

From BBC