Word: Jitters
Definition:
"Jitters" is a noun that describes a feeling of extreme nervousness or anxiety. When someone has the jitters, they might feel shaky, restless, or uneasy, often because they are worried about something important, like a presentation or an exam.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "jitters" when talking about how you feel in a stressful situation. It's often used in informal contexts.
Example:
- "I always get the jitters before I have to speak in front of a large crowd."
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, you might see "jitters" used in discussions about performance anxiety or nervousness related to specific events, such as competitions or interviews.
Word Variants:
- Jittery (adjective): This describes someone who is feeling nervous or anxious.
Example: "She felt jittery before her big job interview."
Different Meanings:
While "jitters" mainly refers to nervousness, in some contexts, it can also refer to physical symptoms like shaking or trembling that accompany anxiety.
Synonyms:
- Nervousness - Anxiety - Restlessness - Edginess - Tension
Idioms:
There aren’t specific idioms that use "jitters," but you might hear phrases like "get the butterflies," which means to feel nervous, similar to having jitters.
Phrasal Verbs:
There are no direct phrasal verbs that include "jitters," but you might use phrases like "calm down" or "settle down" to describe what someone should do to reduce their jitters.