taut with tension

USAGE SUMMARY

'taut with tension' is correct and is a phrase commonly found in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation or feeling which is very tense, either in a physical or emotional sense. For example, "The atmosphere in the room was taut with tension as the meeting drew to a close".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The ground was full, taut with tension.

Independent

The show from the British designer was taut with tension.

The New York Times

The Premiership is abrasive and taut with tension, but McGeechan believes radical change is needed.

The Guardian - Sport

O'Neill lingers at his locker before and after games, his chair turned out to face the room, his hands clasped in front of him, his long legs swaying from side to side, his face taut with tension.

The New York Times - Sports

When we are stretched taut with tension, it's hard to think of anything funny.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

With their pastiche of genres, the Duffer brothers manage to skirt the hideous abuse El has endured (though the tattoo, shaved head and initial starvation dangerously evoke real horror), but El is taut with the tension between real power and inflicted powerlessness.

Los Angeles Times

With warm, gleaming, gem-like sentences, Woodson captures the rare treasures of girlhood friendships, but the book contends with so much else, and the taut plot balloons with tension as August grows to understand a tragic realization about her family, one that will shape her for decades after.

Huffington Post

It's just potent, moody, old-school, painful emotion, evoked with the harrowing bond of love and death and pulled taut with the classic tension of personal desires and family ties.

The New Yorker

Yet it is the conflict between Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge that drives the film, with Crawford deep-voiced and poised, and McCambridge taut, her voice thin with tension.

The Guardian - Film

She is riddled with tension.

Independent

The game was rich with tension.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taut with tension" to create a vivid image of a situation or character experiencing heightened stress or anxiety. It's particularly effective in descriptive writing to convey atmosphere and emotional intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "taut with tension" excessively in dialogue. While it can effectively describe a character's internal state, overuse can make the dialogue sound unnatural and stilted. Opt for more subtle cues like body language or tone to convey tension in conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taut with tension" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a state of heightened strain or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It effectively conveys a feeling of suppressed stress or intense anticipation, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taut with tension" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of heightened stress or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it is best used to create a vivid sense of atmosphere or to emphasize a character's emotional state. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of writing styles. While effective, it should be used judiciously, especially in dialogue, to avoid sounding unnatural. Alternative phrases like "fraught with anxiety" or "brimming with stress" can provide nuanced variations to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strained with anxiety

Replaces "taut" with "strained", retaining the sense of pressure and adding the specific emotion of anxiety.

fraught with anxiety

Replaces "taut" with "fraught" emphasizing a state filled with anxiety rather than physical tightness.

brimming with stress

Substitutes "taut with tension" with "brimming with stress", highlighting the abundance of stress.

on edge with nervousness

Focuses on the feeling of nervousness and being on the verge of something happening.

charged with emotion

Focuses on the emotional intensity, replacing "tension" with a broader term "emotion".

wracked with stress

Implies a state of being severely affected by stress, suggesting a more prolonged or intense experience.

thick with anticipation

Emphasizes the feeling of anticipation, suggesting a waiting period filled with tension.

heavy with unease

Conveys a feeling of discomfort and apprehension, replacing "tension" with "unease".

vibrant with intensity

Shifts the focus to the high level of energy and intensity, rather than the negative connotation of tension.

high-strung and stressed

Uses two adjectives to describe the state of being under pressure, replacing the original phrase with a more direct description.

FAQs

How can I use "taut with tension" in a sentence?

Use "taut with tension" to describe situations or people filled with stress or anxiety. For example, "The air in the negotiation room was "taut with tension" as the deadline approached."

What are some alternatives to "taut with tension"?

You can use alternatives such as "fraught with anxiety", "brimming with stress", or "charged with emotion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "taut with tension" or "full of tension"?

"Taut with tension" implies a strained, almost unbearable level of stress, while "full of tension" simply indicates a high degree of stress. The best choice depends on the intensity you wish to portray.

Can "taut with tension" be used to describe physical objects as well as situations?

While primarily used for situations or emotional states, "taut with tension" can be used metaphorically to describe physical objects if they are under extreme strain. For example: "The rope was "taut with tension" as it held the heavy load."