惴惴不安 (zhuì zhuì bù ān) — anxious and uneasy, on tenterhooks

Definition

A formal chengyu meaning deeply anxious and uneasy about an uncertain outcome — stronger and more literary than everyday words like 担心. Used in writing or to describe prolonged, intense worry.

idiom
anxious and uneasyon tenterhooks

Examples

  • 惴惴不安
    Kǎo shì jié guǒ gōng bù qián, tā yì zhí zhuì zhuì bù ān.
    He was on tenterhooks before the exam results were announced.
  • 惴惴不安
    Tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xi, tā gǎn dào zhuì zhuì bù ān.
    Upon hearing this news, she felt extremely uneasy.
  • 惴惴不安
    Zài děng dài shǒu shù jié guǒ de nà jǐ tiān, quán jiā rén dōu zhuì zhuì bù ān.
    During the days waiting for the surgery results, the whole family was on tenterhooks.

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