Meaning of pent up

"Pent up" refers to emotions or feelings that have been restrained or suppressed over time, often leading to a build-up of tension or frustration. It typically describes a situation where someone has not expressed their feelings or needs, resulting in an overwhelming desire to release them. This term is often used in contexts like stress, anger, or anxiety, where the accumulation of these emotions can eventually lead to an outburst or need for expression.