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.

Everybody seems pretty chill, nobody’s on edge or trying to cause me trouble or anything.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Most economists expect inflation to peak around 5.0% year-on-year in the second quarter, keeping the Reserve Bank of Australia on edge.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Middle East hostilities, including a drone strike near a UAE nuclear power station, kept markets on edge amid concerns over energy supplies.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

The lack of concrete developments from the U.S.-China summit had investors on edge Friday morning.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Both my parents were on edge, but especially Dad.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge

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