pins and needles

noun

1. a tingly, prickly sensation in a limb that is recovering from numbness.

pins and needles

noun

1. a tingling sensation in the fingers, toes, legs, etc, caused by the return of normal blood circulation after its temporary impairment

2. in a state of anxious suspense or nervous anticipation

Word History and Origins

Origin of pins and needles¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on pins and needles, in a state of nervous anticipation.

   The father-to-be was on pins and needles.