pins-and-needles
|pins-and-need-les|
🇺🇸
/pɪnz ənd ˈniːdəlz/
🇬🇧
/pɪnz ənd ˈniːdlz/
tingling sensation; anxious suspense
Etymology
'pins and needles' originates from English, originally a literal image of many small 'pins' and 'needles' producing a pricking sensation on the skin.
'pins and needles' was first used in English in a literal sense to describe the prickling feeling; over time the phrase gave rise to the idiom 'on pins and needles' to describe anxious or tense waiting.
Initially, it meant a literal 'pricking/tingling' sensation, but it evolved into a figurative meaning of 'anxious suspense' while retaining the original sensory sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a prickling or tingling sensation in the skin (often after a limb has been compressed and then regains feeling).
After sitting on my leg for a long time, I had pins-and-needles when I stood up.
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Adjective 1
feeling anxious, nervous, or in a state of eager suspense (often used in the phrase 'on pins and needles').
We're on pins-and-needles waiting for the exam results.
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Last updated: 2025/09/29 02:43