on edge

Idioms

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

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

Rather than being on edge, United's staff at their Carrington training complex feed off Carrick's attitude and the feeling is they are delivering more.

From BBC

While the BOJ left its policy rate unchanged at 0.75% earlier this month, a summary of opinions from that meeting released Monday showed the policy board already on edge.

From The Wall Street Journal

Abi said her symptoms start the second she thinks about leaving the house and include "checking around every corner, being on edge, stressed and nauseous".

From BBC

Another piece of news from artificial-intelligence lab Anthropic has investors on edge.

From Barron's

Public stock and bond markets have been on edge, with the Nasdaq now in correction territory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023