El ambiente se volvió tieso y sombrío cuando anunció su partida.
The atmosphere became stiff and gloomy when he announced his departure.
Context: society La tensión durante la reunión era tan palpable que el aire se sentía tieso.
The tension during the meeting was so palpable that the air felt stiff.
Context: workplace A medida que el artista pintaba, sus trazos eran tan controlados que la obra parecía tiesa y carente de vida.
As the artist painted, his strokes were so controlled that the work looked stiff and lifeless.
Context: art