on the edge of his seat

Definitions

• excited or eager
  Describing someone who is eagerly anticipating something, such as an event or news, and is therefore sitting at the edge of their seat in anticipation

• tense or anxious
  Referring to someone who is feeling tense or anxious, often due to suspense or uncertainty, and is sitting on the edge of their seat in anticipation or nervousness

Examples of on the edge of his seat

• John couldn't stop wincing as he watched the thrilling horror movie, with his heart pounding in his chest and his body tense - he was absolutely on the edge of his seat.

  This idiom is used to describe someone who is completely engrossed in a situation, unable to take their eyes off it or move due to intense excitement or anticipation. In this example, John's intense interest in the movie means that he is completely focused on the events unfolding on screen, barely able to bear the suspense.

• The audience sat on the edge of their seats as the suspenseful thriller unfolded on the big screen.

  This idiom is used to describe how people were completely engaged and attentive during the movie, leaning forward in their seats with anticipation.

• As the doctor delivered the news about the test results, my friend gripped my hand tightly, clearly on the edge of her seat, waiting to hear if everything was okay.

  In this example, the person is literally on the edge of her seat, but it also represents a mental state of being completely focused and expecting something important to happen.

• Even as the timer ticked down in the final moments of the game, my brother sat on the edge of his seat, completely absorbed in the action on the field.

  This idiom can also be used to describe how someone is completely engrossed in an activity, like watching a sporting event or playing a game, eagerly waiting for the outcome.

• The witness's testimony had the judge and jury hanging on his every word, leaves swaying in the wind outside the courtroom barely registering as they were all on the edge of their seats.

  In this example, the idiom is being used metaphorically to describe how the people in the courtroom were completely focused on the witness's testimony, almost to the point of being oblivious to their surroundings.

Conclusion

The idiom "on the edge of his seat" is used to depict someone who is either excited and eager, eagerly awaiting a particular event or news, or feeling tense and anxious, often due to suspense or uncertainty. It conveys a sense of anticipation and heightened emotions, whether positive or negative, that keep the person on edge, both figuratively and sometimes literally.

Origin of "on the edge of his seat"

The origin of the idiom "on the edge of his seat" is believed to come from the idea of someone sitting at the literal edge of their seat due to intense interest or suspense. When a person is deeply engrossed in something, they may lean forward and sit at the edge of their seat to be closer to the action or to show their heightened engagement. This physical posture of being on the edge of one's seat has been metaphorically extended to describe a state of heightened emotion or anticipation in various situations, whether positive or negative. The idiom has become a common way to express someone's eagerness, excitement, tension, or anxiety in a concise and vivid manner.