white knuckle

white-knuckle

1. adjective, slang Of, indicating, or causing intense fear, anxiety, or stress. My son absolutely loves those white-knuckle roller coaster rides, but I have no stomach for them! It was a bit of a white-knuckle moment when the truck came so close to us on the highway. My father has always been a white-knuckle flyer. He can't even step foot on a plane without breaking out in a sweat.
2. verb, slang To grip something so tightly that one's knuckles turn white. I white-knuckled the tray of food, anxious not to spill anything on the first day of my new job. The woman beside me was white-knuckling her armrest for the entire flight. Sally had to white-knuckle the steering wheel to keep the truck straight on the uneven road.
3. verb, slang To endure something one finds fear- or anxiety-inducing, as by holding onto something very tightly. I've always hated the dentist. It takes all my resolve just to white-knuckle one of these routine cleanings. Taxi rides through these narrow streets can be harrowing, but you learn to white-knuckle them over time.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

white knuckle something

to survive something threatening through strained endurance, that is to say, holding on tight. The flight from New York was terrible. We had to white knuckle the entire flight.
See also: knuckle, white
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • white-knuckle
  • go the knuckle
  • sweet
  • sweeter
  • knuckle down to something
  • gonzo
  • preppie
  • preppy
  • bulletproof
  • SBD
References in periodicals archive
The beauty of the shows at Oakwood is that day visitors can stay in the evening and see both for free while evening visitors can arrive after 5.30pm for a special price of pounds 8.00." Oakwood's nightriders can also enjoy the new ride for 2002 - Europe's tallest, steepest, wettest white knuckle water ride Hydro, the world-class wooden roller coaster Megafobia, fourteen-storey high skycoaster Vertigo and the UK's only Shot `n Drop tower coaster The Bounce - in the dark!
IT'S SHOWTIME!; Oakwood unveils its new summer shows
Watch white knuckle ride Air in action as The Hoppings 2018 kicks off
Don't look down! See The Hoppings from the top of its VERY high flying chairs; Around The World, aka very high flying chairs, is one of the tallest rides at The Hoppings 2018 and our photographer filmed his ride on it
Two passengers can also experience 'white knuckle' rides via three wrap-around 42in screens.
Ultimate present; drivelines
Europe's first double loop rollercoaster has carried in excess of 43.5 million white knuckle riders and travelled more than 820,000 miles during its 1,810,410 journeys to date.
Last loop for thrills giant; LEISURE: Rollercoaster reaches end of the line
Thrillseekers are promised a white knuckle ride to remember with the new pounds 8 million Infusion ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
The World Today: Thrills galore with pounds 8m Blackpool rollercoaster
The Pirates of the Caribbean star has been following the Soka Gakkai school of Buddhism - a powerful Japanese movement based on the teachings of a 13th century monk - after his life turned into a "white knuckle ride."
the Razz: Life's Blooming thanks to Buddhism
As well as High Energy, the show also has white knuckle rides such as the Twister and also the Speed Raiser Waltzer.
Having a high TIME
Universal Studios is home to Harry Potter's Diagon Alley; white knuckle ride Rip Ride Rockit, the Revenge of the Mummy, Transformers 3D ride, ET and The Simpsons Ride.
Where is Universal Studios and how much is it to get in? Theme park hosts Saturday Night Takeaway; Universal Studios is the location for Saturday Night Takeaway's end of series finale as Dec, Scarlett and Stephen go to America
THRILL-SEEKERS after a white knuckle ride should get aboard a new pounds 13.5million rollercoaster based on the horror movie SAW.
your money: Are you SAW this is a good idea?
The stunning atria, soft landscaping and open spaces will create a light, airy alfresco environment in which visitors can relax, and watch the spectacle of the 'white knuckle' rides around.
THE VIEWS
White knuckle rides are among the many attractions at Blackpool's Pleasure Beach, and when you buy two wristbands you can get one free with our great offer
Buy two get one FREE ...at Blackpool Pleasure Beach; Purchase two wristbands for shows and rides at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool and get one wristband for shows and rides free
Then there's Coral Island, an undercover family entertainment centre, and the Sandcastle with its white knuckle water chutes.
Advertisment Feature - Top short trip
The website for M&D's park near Motherwell, Lanarkshire, also boasts: 'The Tsunami stretches to a thundering 650 metres of terrifying white knuckle fun.'
No apology for park ride
SO apart from opening white knuckle rides just what do the Hamiltons do these days.
The Insider: The curious Hamiltons
I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster - a white knuckle ride into the unknown.
BOOK IT: PAUL POTTS