English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
On pins and needles
Meaning
The idiom "on pins and needles" means to be very anxious, nervous or eagerly waiting for something to happen. It's a figurative expression that originated from the literal act of being on tenterhooks, which is the past participle of to hang by a hook or pin.
Usage
- I can't wait to start my new job next week! I'm on pins and needles.
- She forgot our anniversary and I'm on pins and needles waiting for her apology.
- The team is on pins and needles during the final game of the season.
- I've been waiting for months to hear back from the university about my application, and now I'm on pins and needles.
- We don't have any news yet about the merger, but we're on pins and needles waiting to hear something. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in positive or negative situations, and it can also be combined with other expressions to create new meanings. For example:
- On tenterhooks or hanging by a hair's breadth
- On edge or nervous
- Await with bated breath
Roots and History
The idiom has its roots in the Middle English term "tenterhook," which means a sharp hook used to hang things, such as clothes or meat. Over time, the expression evolved to mean "hanging by a hair's breadth," or very close to happening. The usage of the idiom has remained relatively consistent over time, but it has become more widely recognized and used in contemporary language. The idiom is also used differently in different regions and cultures around the world. For example, in some countries, the equivalent expression is "waiting on tenterhooks" or "on bated breath."
Synonyms in English
- Tenterhooked
- Edgy
- Nervous
- Eager
- Awaiting
Synonyms in other languages
- Français - sur les ailes du vent (to be on tenterhooks)
- Español - colpeando con el dedo (to be waiting eagerly)
- German - auf den Spitzen hängen (to hang by a thread)
- Italian - sospesi sull'albero dei timoni (to be suspended on the steering wheel)
- Russian - на грани ошибки (to be teetering on the edge of error)