scratch ears and cheeks in anxiety or joy; fidgety
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesidiom
to scratch one's ears and cheeks in anxiety; anxious and restless
Describes a state of restless anxiety where one cannot think of a solution. Often used to portray someone pacing or fidgeting due to worry.
With the deadline fast approaching, he still couldn't come up with a plan and was scratching his ears and cheeks in anxiety.
This problem was too difficult; Xiao Ming scratched his head and thought for ages but still couldn't solve it.
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He paced back and forth in the room, scratching his ears and cheeks, obviously worrying about tomorrow's speech.
idiom
to scratch one's ears and cheeks in delight; beside oneself with joy; ecstatic
Describes a state of uncontrollable joy or excitement, often with physical expressions of delight. Can carry a slightly exaggerated or playful connotation.
Hearing that he had won the grand prize, he was beside himself with joy, scratching his ears and cheeks and dancing with hands and feet.
The children got their new toys and each one was scratching their ears and cheeks in excitement, unable to contain themselves.
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Seeing an old friend he hadn't seen for years, he was so overjoyed he scratched his ears and cheeks, not knowing what to say.