On pins and needles Meaning in English
expression
AWN PINZ and NEE-duhlz
ON PINZ and NEE-duhlz
Definition
Feeling very nervous or anxious while waiting for something to happen, usually because you are worried or excited.
Usage & Nuances
Idiom; informal. Used when someone is very anxious, excited, or worried while waiting. Common with verbs like 'be', 'sit', or 'left'. Similar to 'on edge', but more about waiting. Not literal—don’t use for physical pain.
Spanish: muy nervioso - con los nervios de puntaPortuguese (BR): ansioso - apreensivo (expressão) - estar roendo as unhasPortuguese (PT): ansioso - apreensivo (expressão) - estar em pulgasChinese (Simplified): 如坐针毡 - 非常紧张Chinese (Traditional): 如坐針氈 - 非常緊張Hindi: बेकरार - बहुत परेशानArabic: في قمة التوتر - متوتر للغايةBengali: চরম উৎকণ্ঠায় - খুব টেনশনেRussian: как на иголкахJapanese: 気が気でない - ハラハラするVietnamese: đứng ngồi không yên - hồi hộp lo lắngKorean: 초조해하다 - 안절부절못하다Turkish: diken üstünde - çok tedirginUrdu: بے چینی سے - اضطراب میںIndonesian: gelisah menunggu - sangat cemas
Example Sentences
I was on pins and needles waiting for my exam results.
basic
She was on pins and needles before her job interview.
basic
We are on pins and needles waiting for the news.
basic
The whole family was on pins and needles while the doctor operated.
natural
I’ve been on pins and needles ever since I sent that email.
natural
Fans were on pins and needles during the final minutes of the game.
natural