walk the floor
Pace while worrying
To walk the floor is to pace back and forth, usually from anxiety, worry, or inability to sleep.
Parents walk the floor with colicky babies; expectant fathers walk the floor in waiting rooms.
I've been walking the floor all night waiting for news.
The phrase suggests restless movement driven by emotional distress rather than purposeful activity.
- climb the wallsBecome frantically restless
- sleeplessnessInability to rest
- sleepless nightNight without rest
- burning the midnight oilWorking very late
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
up all night · can't sleep · wakefulness · restless legs · nervousness · nervous wreck · tossing and turning · night watch · fretfulness · concern · distress · worried sick · apprehension · pound the pavement · tension · striding · unease · worry
walk the floorsit still
Remain motionless and calm
stay put · sit tight · keep still · lie down · stand still
walk the floorkeep cool
Remain calm under pressure
relax · rest easy · stay calm · keep one's cool · take it easy
walk the floorsleep like a baby
Rest deeply and peacefully
slumber · sleep like a log · doze off · drift off · rest easy
walk, floor, walks, walked, walking, walker, walkers, walkway, walkways