chafe at the bit



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chafe at the bit

To be impatient and/or eager for something to happen or over some delay. Used to liken someone to an overexcited horse straining against its bit (the metal piece of the harness that fits between its jaws). The crowd chafed at the bit to see the unveiling of the new building. I've chafed at the bit for an opportunity like this my entire life!
See also: bit, chafe

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
XosÉ-Galician
Kristijonas-Lithuanian
Brigid['bridʒid]
MeaghanMEG-ənEnglish
Eadric-Anglo-Saxon
ReinerRIE-ner (German)German, Ancient Germanic