Jittery is frequently employed to evoke a palpable sense of nervous energy or trembling anticipation in characters, whether they are preparing for a high-stakes action or simply overwhelmed by inner turmoil. Often, it describes both physical manifestations—such as shaking or twitching, as when a character's "jittery stomachs" betray their anxiety [1] or a "jittery twitching of the head" hints at more chronic unease [2]—and ephemeral emotional states, like the light-hearted caution before bold endeavors [3][4]. At times, the term highlights a broader atmospheric tension, imbuing moments with an undercurrent of instability that affects decision-making or heightens dramatic stakes, as seen when characters become increasingly unsettled in the face of imminent threat [5][6][7]. This versatile word enriches narrative texture, conveying both the physical and psychological dimensions of being unsettled.