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be on pins and needles

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be on pins and needles

To be anxious and tense. The phrase likely derived from the tingling sensation (called "pins and needles") that occurs when blood flow returns to a numb limb. A: "Why is Carrie pacing?" B: "She's waiting for the doctor to call with her test results, so she's been on pins and needles all day."

See also: and, needle, on, pin

be on pins and needles

  (American & Australian)

to be nervously waiting to see what is going to happen We're on pins and needles waiting to hear whether she got the job.

See also: and, needle, on, pin