pins and needles

American  

noun

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

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idioms

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

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

pins and needles British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of pins and needles

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pins and needles

So, go ahead, keep NBA schedule-makers on pins and needles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

He added that he was “on pins and needles, like everybody else.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026

After sitting for a long time, you may find walking difficult or feel pins and needles in your legs.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025

"I'd started to get these really intense pins and needles in my hands. It was like throwing a snowball and then running your hands under hot water afterwards. It's really painful and hot."

From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2025

He must have been on pins and needles for a long time, worried that somebody’d find out, because he broke down right then and there and confessed the whole thing.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool