a nail-biter

a nail-biter

1. Literally, someone who bites their fingernails, especially due to nervousness or agitation. I was a nail-biter at a young age, and, try as I might, I've never managed to shake the habit completely.
2. By extension, a situation, especially a competitive one, whose outcome is particularly close or uncertain and marked by nervous apprehension. Did you catch the football match last Sunday? Man, what a nail-biter! With how close these two candidates are, this election is sure to be a real nail-biter in its final moments.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • biter
  • hang on by (one's) fingernails
  • cling on by (one's) fingernails
  • wade in
  • wade in(to something)
  • wade into
  • to the quick
  • bite nails
  • bite one's nails
  • bite your nails/fingernails
References in periodicals archive
Was yesterday's ICC World Cup match a nail-biter or what?
Pakistan and Afghanistan's cricket match brought out the xenophobe in Shoaib Akhtar
Thanks to sensational performance by Sohail Akhtar, Omar Associates dethroned defending champions K-Electric in the first semi-final in a nail-biter. Batting first, K-Electric posted 127.
Omar Associates, SSGC in Corporate T20 Cup final
After a nail-biter on the South Coast, host Kristian Walsh and tactics expert Josh Williams look at what went right and wrong at Southampton - and why any criticism of the midfield that night should be put into context.
What makes Naby Keita so unique - and why Liverpool must heed Eden Hazard warning; It's episode seven of our brilliant tactics podcast Analysing Anfield
SHARJAH: Star-studded Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi will take on each other at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium tonight.The match is expected to be a nail-biter as both the teams are eyeing the top chart slot.
Karachi Kings, Peshwar Zalmi to take on each other in Sharjah tonight
Was it a difficult one to watch given it was a nail-biter of a match?
jon's rapid comeback
Andrea Dovizioso needs to win the race with defending champion Marc Marquez outside the top 15, so it's not exactly a nail-biter, but stranger things have happened.
Pedrosa set to grab pole
The vice presidential contest has turned into a nail-biter, and voters are staying up late to monitor the latest updates.
Marcos, Robredo now in tense neck-and-neck race
It was a bit of a nail-biter at the end but the "last-10-minute devil" was elsewhere on Saturday.
Things look good for the Six Nations
Sean Foley took the Division IB in a nail-biter against Ricky Ness of Minnesota State Mankato.
Foley sweats out B victory over Ness
I've been a nail-biter for 30-odd years, so please don't waste my time by asking if I've ever tried that nail polish stuff that's meant to taste disgusting.
There is no manicure for my filthy habit
In their first debate in a nail-biter of a state Senate race, incumbent Sen.
Storify: Davis, Shelton Tussle in First SD-10 Debate
They must win their last match against Wales to stand a chance of going through after notching a second win on the spin by defeating Dudley by just two shots in a nail-biter.
Ladies sides clinging on to hopes of qualifying
WHAT better way to bring the curtain down on the season than to have the top two sides in the Premier Division contest the Combination Cup final and what a nail-biter it turned out to be.
Tiger Bay earn stripes with Combination victory; Combination Cup sport@walesonline.co.uk
Summary: It was a nail-biter at Celtic Manor as Colin Montgomerie's European team claimed the Ryder Cup.
Ryder Cup: Final day timeline
And while it won't win any awards for originality, this super slick CGI packed production is definitely a nail-biter.
Deep is all tosh & techs