Example: Après cette dispute, elle avait les nerfs à vif toute la soirée.
Definition
"Avoir les nerfs à vif" means to be extremely nervous or on edge, experiencing heightened sensitivity and irritability, often due to stress or emotional strain. It describes a state where someone feels tense and easily upset, as in the phrase 'Après cette dispute, elle avait les nerfs à vif toute la soirée.'
Translations
To be on edge
Tener los nervios de punta
Gespannen zijn
Tenir els nervis a flor de pell
Mit den Nerven am Ende sein
Etymology
The expression "avoir les nerfs à vif" comes from French, literally meaning 'to have nerves raw.' It metaphorically compares emotional sensitivity to raw nerves, which are highly sensitive and painful when exposed. Did you know this vivid phrase captures the intense feeling of being emotionally vulnerable and tense?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Avoir les nerfs à vif" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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To be on edge