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be chafing at the bit

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be chafing 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). I was chafing at the bit for the game to start. After two hours of waiting in the airport lobby, we were chafing at the bit to finally get on the plane.

See also: bit, chafe