전전긍긍해요 · 전전긍긍했어요 · 전전긍긍할 거예요 · 전전긍긍하는 (+noun)
to be on edge, live in constant fear, tremble with worry
Example
그는 비밀이 드러날까 봐 전전긍긍했습니다.
He lived in fear that his secret would come out.
Word parts
전 tremble+전 tremble+긍 cautious+긍 cautious
A four-character idiom from classical poetry: 'trembling and cautious', as if on thin ice.
Good to know
Often paired with -(으)ㄹ까 봐: 들킬까 봐 전전긍긍하다.