on pins and needles
Tense with anticipation
On pins and needles describes a state of anxious anticipation or nervous suspense, as if the slightest movement might cause pain: I've been on pins and needles waiting for the test results.
The image suggests someone sitting so tensely that even small sensations feel sharp.
The phrase often appears with keep or have: The close election kept the whole country on pins and needles.
- tinglingSlight stinging sensation
- pricklingSharp tingling sensation
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- nervous wreckPerson overwhelmed by anxiety
on edge · excitement · anxiety · suspense · bated breath · expectation · worry · nail-biting · unease · butterflies in stomach · restlessness · trembling · tension · anticipation · discomfort · apprehension · fluttering · heart pounding
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- anticipationanticipating, expectation, expectancy, expecting, awaiting
- Sewing Metaphorsseamless, threadbare, woven, patched up, hanging by a thread
- tightnesstight, taut, snug, constricting, compressed
on pins and needlespatient
Able to wait calmly
unhurried · taking it in stride · easygoing · unconcerned · indifferent
pins, pinned, pinning, pinner, needle, needles, needled, needling