1. Home
2. Idioms
3. climb the walls

climb the walls

---

---

climb the walls

To be anxious or annoyed to the point of frenzy. If she makes another foolish blunder like that, I'll be ready to climb the walls. The doctor hasn't called me with the test results yet, so I've been climbing the walls.

See also: climb, wall

climb the walls

Show extreme frustration, impatience, or anxiety, as in That long, boring banquet made me want to climb the walls, or If he says that one more time I'll be ready to climb the walls. Although describing a military maneuver dating from ancient times, this slangy phrase has been used figuratively to express strong negative feeling only since about 1970. Also see under drive someone crazy.

See also: climb, wall

climb the wall(s)

tv. to do something desperate when one is anxious, bored, or excited. I was climbing the walls to get back to work.

See also: climb, wall

climb the walls

To be anxious or frantic.

See also: climb, wall