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

“These households have been on pins and needles over the past several months because they’ve all been notified that the subsidy was running out at the end of the calendar year,” Salas said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 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

Emma Stone, from Lower Earley, Berkshire, went from having pins and needles in her hands to often needing a wheelchair to leave her home.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2024

Zane craned his neck ever so slightly, pins and needles soaring up his spine as he did so, to take in the scene.

From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff