bolt upright

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I sat bolt upright, moving my lips with nothing coming out.

From New York Times • Jun. 5, 2022

Typically bolt upright in her chair and staring straight ahead, Holmes has remained impassive as even one-time supporters testified to their misgivings about her actions while leading Theranos.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 19, 2021

In court, she sat bolt upright, poised, attentive, as she listened to the case against her.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2021

The PlayStation 2 played with similar emotions at the turn of the millennium, sitting bolt upright like the Monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

From The Verge • Dec. 5, 2019

He sat bolt upright even before he opened his eyes, heart racing.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill