English

Prepositional phrase

on pins and needles

1. (idiomatic) Feeling sharp anticipation or anxiety; in a state of suspense.
   • 1889, Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, ch. 6:

     Merlin hesitated a moment or two, and I was on pins and needles during that little while.

   • 1923, Hugh Lofting, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, part 5, ch. 1:

     I was on pins and needles of expectation and curiosity.

Synonyms

• on tenterhooks

Related terms

• pins and needles