worry beads

American  

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a string of beads manipulated to relieve worry and tension.

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worry beads British  

plural noun

1. a string of beads that when fingered or played with supposedly relieves nervous tension

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Etymology

Origin of worry beads

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

She draws attention to her pearls not when she throws her head back in laughter, but when she clutches her hands to them anxiously, rolling them across her clavicles like worry beads.

From The Guardian • Nov. 20, 2019

When the family finally arrived in Greece, McKeon observed Onassis clasping on blue worry beads, rubbing them back and forth.

From Fox News • Oct. 22, 2018

Substituting something else, such as kneading a stress ball or worry beads, sometimes helps, as does wearing gloves.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2015

I put it in my pocket, fingering it like a set of worry beads.

From New York Times • Sep. 9, 2013

For the next forty days, whenever my grandmother misplaced her dream book or her worry beads, she blamed Zizmo’s spirit.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides