Basic Details
Word: Tense
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Feeling anxious or nervous, or a situation that is full of excitement and worry.
Synonyms: Anxious, nervous, strained
Antonyms: Relaxed, calm, tranquil
Idioms and Phrases
- On tenterhooks: To be in a state of anxiety or suspense. Example: "She was on tenterhooks waiting for the exam results."
- Tighten one's belt: To prepare for something difficult or to be frugal due to a challenging situation. Example: "After losing his job, he had to tighten his belt and cut back on spending."
Usage Examples
Example 1: During the final moments of the game, the atmosphere was tense as both teams fought for victory.
Example 2: He felt tense before his big performance, but once he started singing, he relaxed.
Example 3: The meeting was tense, as everyone was worried about the upcoming changes in the company.
Fun Fact
The word "tense" originates from the Latin word "tensio," which means 'to stretch.' Interestingly, it has evolved to describe not just a state of anxiety but also how verbs express time in grammar, indicating when actions happenpast, present, or future!
Famous Quote
"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight." - Benjamin Franklin
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "tense" mean?
a) Feeling playful
b) To be anxious or nervous
c) To laugh very hard
d) To sleep soundly
Answer: b) To be anxious or nervous
2. Which of these is a synonym of "tense"?
a) Calm
b) Relaxed
c) Anxious
d) Cheerful
Answer: c) Anxious
3. Which word is an antonym of "tense"?
a) Stressed
b) Relaxed
c) Worried
d) Nervous
Answer: b) Relaxed
4. Which sentence correctly uses the word "tense"?
a) She felt tense before the exam but managed to calm herself.
b) The tense dog barked happily at the mailman.
c) My lunch was very tense and delicious.
d) He went tense for a walk in the park.
Answer: a) She felt tense before the exam but managed to calm herself.
5. Which idiom means the same as "tense"?
a) On tenterhooks
b) Tighten one's belt
c) A bird in the hand
d) A stitch in time
Answer: a) On tenterhooks
