on the rack
Related to on the rack: Off the rack
on the rack
Suffering from great stress or anxiety; in a very difficult or stressful position. The whole family was on the rack waiting for the doctors to give them an update. They had the reigning champions on the rack for first half of the game.
See also: on, rack
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
on the rack
Under great stress, as in I was on the rack while I waited for the test results. This expression, alluding to a medieval instrument of torture to which the victim was fastened and stretched, has been used figuratively since the late 1500s. Shakespeare had it in The Merchant of Venice (3:2): "Let me choose, for as I am I live upon the rack."
See also: on, rack
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
on the rack
mainly BRITISHIf someone is on the rack, they are in a very difficult situation, often one in which they are suffering anxiety or distress. With ministers again on the rack over this new scandal, you have to wonder how long this government will last. She and Michael listened closely, on the rack of apprehension. Note: You can also say that you put someone on the rack. We were fairly evenly matched in the first half of the game but we really put them on the rack in the second half. Note: The rack was an instrument of torture which was used in the past. Prisoners were tied to the rack, and their arms and legs were stretched until they confessed or told secrets, or died.
See also: on, rack
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
on the rack
suffering intense distress or strain.See also: on, rack
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
on the ˈrack
in a state of anxiety, stress, pain, etc: After three weeks had passed and she had still not heard from her daughter, Joan was on the rack.The rack was an instrument of torture, used in the past for punishing and hurting people. Their arms and legs were tied to a wooden frame and then pulled in opposite directions, stretching the body.See also: on, rack
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
on the rack
Under great stress.
See also: on, rack
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- on a knife-edge
- be not (one's) day
- not be somebody's day
- be under the cosh
- cosh
- put (one) through it
- put somebody through it
- over the hump
- over the hump 1
- the evil hour/day/moment