get tense
become tense

The teams already have a tense rivalry, and it has become more tense.

Dyer noticed that the atmosphere had subtly become more tense.

"The situation in the Kirkuk area has become more tense in recent weeks."

They pick up the phone and suddenly become tense.

The cat had become tense, watching the girl intently.

The general thrust of the article was right: That the situation is becoming more tense by the day and may soon be untenable.

He had become tense and angry, the worst possible combination for an ulcer patient, especially at meal time.

He was becoming more tense by the moment.

The situation had become more tense and the Invasion ahead was casting its shadow.

Towards the end of the 15th century, however, the situation on the eastern border was becoming more tense.