Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

For all the *hand-wringing*, second-guessing and outright censorship that led up to the broadcast of the 77th annual Academy Awards, the festivities went off with barely a hitch last week.

What's the meaning of *hand-wringing*?
Holding on to a pen tightly?

Thanks

[pugachevV]

No, more like worrying that something will go wrong, or offend sombody or other.

[Bob S.]

Visualize a person rubbing and squeezing their own hands and wrists in a nervous gesture.

[missdaredevil]

Could you use *hand-wringing * in an example?

Thanks

[Bob S.]

The Hospital Maternity Ward was full of hand-wringing fathers-to-be.

The hall was a scene of hand-wringing nervousness as the students waited to enter the room where they would take their entrance exams.