Everyone seems up, strung tight, cognizant both of the serious emotions of the individual texts and the raucous artifice of the omnibus presentation.

He sat back and tried to ease his muscles; he was strung tight as a lute's treble strings.

My nerves were strung tight, in anticipation of what we might find.

Her nerves were strung tight as wire.

Every muscle I could see was strung tight; Anne closed her eyes again and clenched her teeth.

It was clear today that Mr. Hart's emotions were strung tight.

His nerves were strung tight, which was his only excuse for acting so prickly.

By the time they reached his cabin and stepped inside her nerves were strung tight.

The question was strung tight like a bow string.

The keys were strung tight.