ants in one's pants, have



ants in one's pants, have

1. Be extremely restless, uneasy, impatient, or anxious, as in This child just can't sit still; she must have ants in her pants. This rhyming idiom calls up a vivid image of what might cause one to be jumpy. [Slang; 1920s]
2. Be eager for sexual activity, as in Bill's got ants in his pants for Rita. This usage is less common today. [Slang; 1920s]
See also: ant, have

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Philetusfi-LEE-təs (English), fie-LEE-təs (English)Biblical, Biblical Latin
&Aelig;&Thorn;Elr&Aelig;D-Anglo-Saxon
AndroclesAN-drə-kleez (English)Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Iseut-Medieval English
Frieda['fri:də]
Mikha'il-Arabic