A little tense
/ə ˈlɪtl tɛns/
B1
Definition
The phrase "a little tense" describes a small or mild feeling of tension in the body or mind. It means someone is somewhat nervous or uneasy, often because of pressure or worry, but the feeling is not very strong or serious.
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⚡ See It in Action
Slight nervousness or worry
- •I was a little tense before my job interview.
- •She felt a little tense waiting for her exam results.
- •The room was a little tense during the serious discussion.
Mild physical tightness or stiffness
- •After sitting for hours, my neck was a little tense.
- •His shoulders were a little tense from stress at work.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "a little tense" like "a bit worried," but less strong than being very scared or upset.
- ✓Picture your muscles tightening just a little, like when you wait for a test result or before speaking in public.
- ✓It’s the feeling when your heart beats a bit faster and your hands might feel a bit stiff, but you can still stay calm.
- ✓Sounds like "a little" (small amount) + "tense" (tight or nervous) → imagine holding a small rubber band stretched just a bit.
- ✓Think of a quiet moment before a big event when you feel a small pressure inside but not panic.
- ✓NOT like "very tense" (strong nervousness or stress) — this is only a small amount.
- ✓NOT like "relaxed" (calm and free from tension) — "a little tense" means some tension is still there.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Slightly anxious: feeling a small amount of worry (Use when you want to emphasize worry more than physical tightness)
- •A bit stressed: feeling mild pressure or tension (Use when talking about stress from work or situations)
- •Somewhat uneasy: feeling a little uncomfortable or worried (Use in formal or polite contexts)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Phrase parts: "a little" (small amount) + "tense" (tight, nervous)
- •Etymology: "tense" comes from Latin "tensus," meaning stretched tight; "a little" is a simple quantifier meaning small amount
- •Historical development: "Tense" has been used to describe physical tightness and mental nervousness since the 1600s; "a little tense" combines these to express mild tension
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe mild nervousness or physical tightness in everyday conversation
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt "a little tense" before an important event? How did you manage that feeling?
•Can being "a little tense" sometimes help you perform better? Why or why not?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.Before the presentation, she was a little tense because she ___ a lot of people watching her.
2.After sitting at the desk all day, his back felt a little tense and ___ to move.
3.The room got a little tense when the manager started talking about ___ deadlines.
4.Feeling a little tense can help you focus, but if you get too ___, it might be hard to think clearly.
5.When someone is a little tense, their body might feel ___ tight or stiff.
6.He was a little tense about the test results, but he tried to ___ calm.
7.The conversation became a little tense because they disagreed, but it did not ___ into an argument.