helspänn

Swedish

Etymology

From hel (“full”) +‎ spänn (“tightening”), originally of a cocked firearm.

Adverb

helspänn

1. (preceded by på or i) on edge (very tense)

   Jag satt på helspänn genom hela filmen

   I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie

   Vi väntade på resultatet med nerverna på helspänn

   We awaited the result with our nerves on edge

Noun

helspänn

1. the state of having been fully cocked (of a firearm)

References

• helspänn in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• helspänn in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• helspänn in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)