on pins and needles; extremely anxious and restless
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
like sitting on a bed of needles; extremely anxious and unable to sit still; on pins and needles
literaryA metaphorical expression describing extreme anxiety, unease, or restlessness, often in situations where one feels pressured or threatened. Typically used in formal or literary contexts.
Děng等
dài待
miàn面
shì试
jié结
guǒ果
de的
shí时
hou候
，
tā他
rú如
zuò坐
zhēn针
zhān毡
，
bù不
tíng停
de地
kàn看
biǎo表
。
While waiting for the interview results, he was on pins and needles, constantly checking his watch.
Lǎo老
bǎn板
pī批
píng评
le了
tā他
jǐ几
jù句
，
ràng让
tā他
rú如
zuò坐
zhēn针
zhān毡
，
zuò坐
lì立
bù不
ān安
。
After the boss criticized him, he felt extremely uneasy and couldn't sit still.
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Dé得
zhī知
gōng公
sī司
kě可
néng能
cái裁
yuán员
de的
xiāo消
xi息
hòu后
，
tā他
zhè这
jǐ几
tiān天
rú如
zuò坐
zhēn针
zhān毡
。
After learning about the possible layoffs, he has been extremely anxious these past few days.
Hái孩
zi子
hái还
zài在
shǒu手
shù术
shì室
lǐ里
qiǎng抢
jiù救
，
jiā家
zhǎng长
zài在
wài外
miàn面
rú如
zuò坐
zhēn针
zhān毡
de地
děng等
dài待
zhe着
。
The child was still in the operating room being treated, while the parents waited outside on pins and needles.