anxious seat

[ angk-shuhs seet, ang- ]

noun

1. 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.
2. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anxious seat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

As it was, the boys were still on the anxious seat, not knowing which way the cat would jump.

From Project Gutenberg

Ill turn up some day in the anxious seat when you dont expect me.

From Project Gutenberg

The revival fairly started, the most excitable were soon on the anxious seat.

From Project Gutenberg

All of them were eventually received, though some were kept on the anxious seat and held as probationers for a long time.

From Project Gutenberg

While Gustavus was thus dickering with the Dalesmen, a far more weighty matter kept him continually on an anxious seat at home.

From Project Gutenberg