on pins and needles

In a state of anxiety or tense expectation: “Jackie was on pins and needles waiting to hear about her job application.”

Words Nearby on pins and needles

on one's way
on order
on pain of
on paper
on-peak
on pins and needles
on principle
on purpose
ONR
on-ramp
on-record

Other Idioms and Phrases with on pins and needles

on pins and needles

Nervously anxious, as in He was on pins and needles, waiting for the test results. The graphic expression pins and needles for the tingling sensation experienced in recovering from numbness was transferred to a feeling of marked mental uneasiness about 1800.

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