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build suspense

[/bɪld səˈspɛns/]
verb phrase
criar suspense
1. to gradually create a feeling of anticipation, tension, or uncertainty about what will happen next
The director built suspense by slowing down the camera movements before the big reveal.
O diretor criou suspense ao desacelerar os movimentos da câmera antes da grande revelação.
2. to deliberately delay revealing information to maintain audience interest
The author built suspense throughout the novel by introducing new clues about the mystery.
O autor criou suspense ao longo do romance ao introduzir novas pistas sobre o mistério.
NYC Slang
keep 'em on the edge of their seats
Synonyms
create tensionheighten anticipationgenerate excitementintensify dramadevelop intrigue
Antonyms
reveal immediatelyspoil the endingreduce tensiondissipate excitement

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
criar suspense
most common usage across Brazil
São Paulo
montar suspense
alternative colloquial form
Portugal
criar suspense
standard European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

keep someone in suspense
keep someone guessing
leave someone hanging
cliffhanger
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