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maintain suspense

[meɪnˈteɪn səˈspɛns]
verb phrase
manter o suspense
1. to keep someone in a state of uncertainty or anxiety about what will happen next
The author maintains suspense throughout the novel by revealing clues gradually.
O autor mantém o suspense durante todo o romance revelando pistas gradualmente.
2. to deliberately delay revealing information or a conclusion in order to keep interest or tension
The director maintains suspense by using dramatic pauses and unexpected plot twists.
O diretor mantém o suspense usando pausas dramáticas e reviravoltas inesperadas.
Synonyms
keep in suspensebuild tensionsustain anticipationprolong uncertaintycreate intrigue
Antonyms
resolve tensionreveal the endingdispel doubtclarify immediately

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
manter o suspense
standard usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
manter o suspense
common colloquial usage
São Paulo
manter o suspense
standard formal usage
Portugal
manter o suspense
standard usage, sometimes 'manter a tensão'

Related Idioms & Phrases

keep someone on the edge of their seat
leave someone in the dark
build up to something
keep the audience guessing
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