Jump out of my skin

[0176] On edge

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Feeling tense, nervous, irritable, or anxious; easily agitated.

Origin

  • This idiom likely comes from the idea of being physically balanced on a narrow edge, where any small disturbance could cause a fall.
  • Metaphorically, it represents an emotional state of instability and high sensitivity, where small things can trigger a strong negative reaction (like irritation or anxiety).
  • It implies a state of heightened tension.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Tense.
  • Anxious.
  • Stressed out.
  • Irritable.
  • Jumpy. / Jittery.
  • Wired. (Often implies caffeine or nervous energy)
  • Uptight. (Often implies overly rigid or anxious)
  • Nervous wreck. (More extreme state)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Stressed to the max.
  • Wound up. (Tense and agitated)
  • A bit snappy. (Irritable, likely to respond sharply)
  • Losing it. (Implies losing emotional control due to stress)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • (Describing the cause) This shit has me on edge.

Milder:

  • A bit stressed.
  • Feeling uneasy.
  • A little tense.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Appropriate for describing one's own feelings or observing someone else's state (though perhaps use caution describing others directly to them unless you know them well).
  • Common in workplace discussions about stress or pressure.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally straightforward. It describes a state of tension and irritability, not necessarily extreme fear (like scared to death) or sudden shock (like jump out of my skin).
  • Implies a temporary state usually linked to a specific stressor.

Examples

  • He's been really on edge waiting for his exam results.
  • The constant noise from the construction site has everyone on edge.
  • Try not to bother her today; she seems a bit on edge.

Dialogue

Person A: Is everything okay with Mark? He seemed really on edge in the meeting.

Person B: Yeah, he's got a major project deadline tomorrow and things aren't going smoothly. He's under a lot of pressure.

Person A: Ah, that makes sense. I'll try not to add to his stress.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Anyone else feeling super on edge lately? The news cycle is just relentless. #anxiety #currentaffairs
  • Facebook Status: Waiting for important news... feeling really on edge. Trying to stay calm! #patience #stress
  • Forum Post: My whole team is on edge because of the upcoming restructure. Morale is low.

Response Patterns

  • Asking why (What's wrong?, Why are they on edge?).
  • Expressing understanding or sympathy (I get it, That sounds stressful).
  • Offering help or suggesting ways to relax (Maybe take a break?, Anything I can do?).
  • Agreeing (Yeah, I noticed that too).
  • Deciding to be cautious around the person (Okay, I'll steer clear / be careful).

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing someone is on edge:

  • People often inquire about the reason for the tension.
  • They might adjust their own behavior to avoid upsetting the person.
  • They might offer support or suggest stress-reducing activities.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Describes an emotional state, usually in response to a situation or question about well-being.

Intonation

  • Emphasis usually on edge. on EDGE.
  • Often said with a tone of caution, worry, or slight tension itself.

Generation Differences

  • Widely used and understood across generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
Jump out of my skin
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