anxious seat
- Also called anxious bench. Chiefly North Atlantic States and Southern and South Midland U.S. a seat reserved at a revival meeting for those troubled by conscience and eager for spiritual assistance.
- a state of anxiety, especially about the outcome of a vote, negotiation, etc.: Strikers have been in the anxious seat for the last three days.
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Origin of anxious seat
An Americanism dating back to 1810–20
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for anxious seat
Historical Examples
Your friend Sweeney, the proprietor, is on the anxious-seat.
The Missing Link in Modern SpiritualismA. Leah Underhill
To descend into that region implied the same process with the "anxious-seat" of the camp-meeting.
Army Life in a Black RegimentThomas Wentworth Higginson
And here imagine a sigh which, for depth and pro-fun-dity, none but a sentimental old maid on the anxious-seat can heave.
Folly as It FliesFanny Fern
I verily believe you spent your time on the anxious-seat, and have caught the expression.
The Chautauqua Girls At HomePansy, AKA Isabella M. Alden