die Zitterpartie
Translation
nail-biter, cliffhanger, tense game, squeaker
Examples
Das Finale war eine echte Zitterpartie.
The final was a real nail-biter.
Die Wahl wurde zur Zitterpartie für die Kandidaten.
The election became a cliffhanger for the candidates.
Grammar Patterns
to be a nail-biter eine Zitterpartie sein The game was a nail-biter.
to become a nail-biter zu einer Zitterpartie werden The election became a nail-biter.
Similar Words
Krimi (coll.), Nervenschlacht
Etymology
From 'zittern' (to tremble) + 'Partie' (game, match). Literally a 'trembling game', implying a game so tense it makes you shake.
Memory Tips
Picture a game so intense that your hands are 'trembling' ('zittern'). That's a 'Zitterpartie'.