keep you on the edge of your seat

Meaning

This expression describes a movie, book, or show that is so exciting, tense, or suspenseful that you pay close attention the entire time. It suggests you are physically leaning forward in anticipation of what happens next. It is commonly used for thrillers, action movies, or sports matches.

Examples

• The final match was so intense it kept us on the edge of our seats until the very last second.

  The final match was so intense it kept us on the edge of our seats until the very last second.

• I highly recommend this thriller; the plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat.

  I highly recommend this thriller; the plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat.

• It's the kind of suspenseful mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

  It's the kind of suspenseful mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

• The documentary was so well-made that it kept me on the edge of my seat.

  The documentary was so well-made that it kept me on the edge of my seat.

• Don't worry, the action scenes are amazing and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

  Don't worry, the action scenes are amazing and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The movie kept me in the edge of my seat.

  ✓ The movie kept me on the edge of my seat.

  The correct preposition is 'on', not 'in'.

• ✗ It was a very edge of your seat movie.

  ✓ It was an edge-of-your-seat movie.

  When used as an adjective before a noun, the phrase should be hyphenated.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The thriller has so many plot twists that it will ___.

  💡 It means to make you feel very excited and tense.

  Show answer

  keep you on the edge of your seat

• I couldn't look away; the championship game really ___.

  💡 Use the past tense form of 'keep'.

  Show answer

  kept me on the edge of my seat