The tears threatened and she could not say the words.

Her voice began to peter out as the tears threatened.

She felt the tears threatening again, and bit her lip to hold them back.

If she let herself think about it, tears of joy threatened.

For a moment she felt tears threaten, and fought them back.

Tears were threatening at the back of my throat again.

And then she retreated quickly, for the tears were threatening to begin again.

Tears threatened, but she held them back, opening her eyes to view his grim features.

Pulling away, she looked around the small, empty room, tears threatening to flow again.

Her father died after she graduated from Smith, and mention of him now is the only time tears threaten.