pins and needles


noun

a tingly, prickly sensation in a limb that is recovering from numbness.

Idioms for pins and needles

    on pins and needles, in a state of nervous anticipation: The father-to-be was on pins and needles.

Origin of pins and needles

First recorded in 1800–10

Words nearby pins and needles

British Dictionary definitions for on pins and needles

pins and needles

noun (functioning as singular) informal

a tingling sensation in the fingers, toes, legs, etc, caused by the return of normal blood circulation after its temporary impairment
on pins and needles in a state of anxious suspense or nervous anticipation

Cultural definitions for on pins and needles

on pins and needles

In a state of anxiety or tense expectation: “Jackie was on pins and needles waiting to hear about her job application.”

Idioms and Phrases with on pins and needles

on pins and needles

Nervously anxious, as in He was on pins and needles, waiting for the test results. The graphic expression pins and needles for the tingling sensation experienced in recovering from numbness was transferred to a feeling of marked mental uneasiness about 1800.