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be apprehensive

[/bi əˈprɛhɛnsɪv/]
verb phrase
estar apreensivo/a
1. to feel worry or fear about something that might happen
She was apprehensive about the upcoming exam.
Ela estava apreensiva sobre o exame que se aproximava.
2. to experience anxiety or uneasiness regarding a future event or situation
He felt apprehensive when boarding the airplane for the first time.
Ele se sentiu apreensivo ao embarcar no avião pela primeira vez.
NYC Slang
be sketchy about something / be on edge
Synonyms
be worriedbe anxiousbe nervousbe uneasybe fearful
Antonyms
be confidentbe assuredbe calmbe at ease

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
estar apreensivo/a
most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
estar preocupado/a
alternative colloquial form
Rio de Janeiro
estar com receio
commonly used alternative
Portugal
estar apreensivo/a
formal and standard Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

have butterflies in one's stomach
be on pins and needles
be walking on eggshells
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