on edge
Unable to relax
On edge describes a state of nervous tension or anxious anticipation.
Someone on edge is easily startled or irritated, as if balanced precariously and ready to tip: The whole office has been on edge since the layoff announcements.
The phrase suggests heightened alertness without the ability to relax: Caffeine keeps me on edge.
Uneasy and apprehensive
apprehensive · stressed · worried · agitated · on tenterhooks · keyed up · wound up · high-strung
Keenly aware of danger
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- waryGuardedly alert
- guardedWary and restrained
- attentivePaying close notice
hyperaware · sharp · ready · primed · braced · poised · reactive · hair-trigger
Innovative cultural pioneers
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- boundary-pushingExceeding accepted limits
- experimentalTesting new methods
- daringAdventurous courage
bold · subversive · unconventional · rebellious · alternative · radical · transgressive · risk-taking
nervous
Uneasy and apprehensive
restless · apprehensive · stressed · worried · agitated · on tenterhooks · keyed up · wound up · high-strung · overwrought
vigilant
Keenly aware of danger
attentive · hyperaware · sharp · ready · primed · braced · poised · reactive · hair-trigger · sensitive
avant-garde
Innovative cultural pioneers
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- boundary-pushingExceeding accepted limits
- experimentalTesting new methods
daring · bold · subversive · unconventional · rebellious · alternative · radical · transgressive · risk-taking · unorthodox
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- irritabilitycranky, grouchy, grumpy, irritated, annoyed
- phrasesnoun phrases, noun phrase, verb phrase, prepositional phrase, prepositional phrases
- restlessnessrestlessness, fidgeting, fidgets, agitation, nervousness
- slang moodsbummed, chill, cranky, grumpy, hyper
- suspensesuspense, suspenseful, tension, nail-biter, nail-biting
on edgeoblivious
Lacking any awareness
unaware · off guard · unconcerned · inattentive · zoned out
edge, edges, edgy, edged, edging, on-edge, cutting-edge, edginess, edger