Anxiety is a feeling many people experience when they are worried or nervous. Sometimes, it can be hard to explain exactly how that feeling feels. That’s why people use special phrases called idioms. Idioms are groups of words that mean something different than what they say. They help us talk about feelings like anxiety in an interesting and easy way.
In this article, you will learn about 30 idioms for anxiety. These idioms show how people describe being nervous or scared using everyday words. Knowing these idioms can help you understand what others mean and how to talk about feelings better. Let’s start by looking at what anxiety idioms are and how you can find them in sentences.
Idioms for Anxiety
1. Butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: Feeling nervous or scared before something important.
Samples: I had butterflies in my stomach before my big test. / She felt butterflies in her stomach before the school play.
To Put it Another Way: I was really nervous. / My tummy felt funny because I was worried.
2. On pins and needles
Meaning: Feeling anxious while waiting for something.
Samples: I was on pins and needles waiting for my turn to speak. / Mom was on pins and needles until I got home safe.
To Put it Another Way: I felt very nervous. / I couldn’t sit still because I was worried.
3. Heart in your throat
Meaning: Feeling very scared or nervous suddenly.
Samples: My heart was in my throat when I saw the big dog. / She had her heart in her throat during the surprise test.
To Put it Another Way: I was very scared all of a sudden. / My chest felt tight because I was nervous.
4. Get cold feet
Meaning: Feeling scared to do something planned.
Samples: He got cold feet before the school dance and didn’t go. / I got cold feet about trying out for the team.
To Put it Another Way: I was too scared to do it. / I changed my mind because I felt nervous.
5. On edge
Meaning: Feeling tense or nervous all the time.
Samples: She was on edge before the big game. / I felt on edge when I couldn’t find my homework.
To Put it Another Way: I felt nervous and tense. / I was worried and could not relax.
6. Shake like a leaf
Meaning: Trembling because you are very nervous or scared.
Samples: He shook like a leaf before his speech. / I was shaking like a leaf when I saw the lightning.
To Put it Another Way: My body was shaking because I was scared. / I was trembling from nerves.
7. Lose your cool
Meaning: To get upset or nervous easily.
Samples: She lost her cool when the teacher called on her. / Don’t lose your cool during the game.
To Put it Another Way: I got upset or nervous fast. / I could not stay calm.
8. Break out in a cold sweat
Meaning: To feel very scared or nervous, sometimes with sweating.
Samples: He broke out in a cold sweat before the test. / I broke out in a cold sweat when the thunder started.
To Put it Another Way: I was scared and sweating. / I felt nervous and my skin got cold and wet.
9. Have a sinking feeling
Meaning: To feel worried that something bad will happen.
Samples: I had a sinking feeling when I forgot my homework. / She had a sinking feeling about the math test.
To Put it Another Way: I felt worried something bad was coming. / I had a bad feeling inside.
10. Jump out of your skin
Meaning: To be very surprised or scared suddenly.
Samples: I jumped out of my skin when the phone rang loudly. / She jumped out of her skin at the scary movie.
To Put it Another Way: I was very surprised or scared. / I almost jumped because I was shocked.
11. Bite your nails
Meaning: To be nervous or worried about something.
Samples: I bit my nails waiting for the test results. / He bites his nails when he feels anxious.
To Put it Another Way: I showed I was nervous. / I was worried and couldn’t stop biting my nails.
12. On the edge of your seat
Meaning: Feeling very excited and nervous waiting for what happens next.
Samples: I was on the edge of my seat during the scary story. / Mom was on the edge of her seat watching the game.
To Put it Another Way: I was very excited and nervous. / I couldn’t wait to see what would happen.
13. A bundle of nerves
Meaning: Someone who is very nervous all the time.
Samples: She was a bundle of nerves before the spelling bee. / I felt like a bundle of nerves before the dance.
To Put it Another Way: I was very nervous. / I felt shaky and worried.
14. Feel butterflies
Meaning: To feel nervous, usually in a happy or excited way.
Samples: I felt butterflies when I saw my best friend. / She felt butterflies before the big game.
To Put it Another Way: I was nervous but excited. / My tummy felt funny because I was happy and nervous.
15. Have your nerves shot
Meaning: To feel very tired and nervous.
Samples: After a long day, my nerves were shot. / He felt like his nerves were shot after studying all night.
To Put it Another Way: I was very tired and nervous. / I felt worn out and worried.
16. Keep your cool
Meaning: To stay calm when you feel nervous.
Samples: She kept her cool during the test. / Try to keep your cool if you feel nervous.
To Put it Another Way: I stayed calm. / I didn’t get upset or worried.
17. Have butterflies in your chest
Meaning: Feeling nervous inside your body.
Samples: I had butterflies in my chest before singing. / She had butterflies in her chest waiting for her turn.
To Put it Another Way: I felt nervous inside. / My chest felt funny because I was worried.
18. Walk on eggshells
Meaning: To be very careful because you are nervous about making a mistake.
Samples: I had to walk on eggshells during the surprise quiz. / We walked on eggshells around the grumpy teacher.
To Put it Another Way: I was careful because I felt nervous. / I tried not to mess up.
19. Freeze up
Meaning: To stop moving or thinking because you are nervous.
Samples: I froze up during my speech. / He froze up when he saw the big crowd.
To Put it Another Way: I couldn’t move or speak. / I got stuck because I was nervous.
20. Get the jitters
Meaning: To feel nervous or shaky before something.
Samples: I got the jitters before the soccer game. / She got the jitters waiting to perform.
To Put it Another Way: I felt nervous and shaky. / My body felt jumpy because I was scared.
21. Have cold feet
Meaning: To feel scared and not want to do something.
Samples: He had cold feet before his piano recital. / I had cold feet about going on the roller coaster.
To Put it Another Way: I was scared to do it. / I changed my mind because I felt nervous.
22. Get worked up
Meaning: To become upset or nervous about something.
Samples: She got worked up about the test. / Don’t get worked up if things go wrong.
To Put it Another Way: I got nervous or upset. / I felt worried and bothered.
23. Jump the gun
Meaning: To act too soon because of nervousness or excitement.
Samples: He jumped the gun and answered before the question was done. / I jumped the gun and started the race early.
To Put it Another Way: I did something too quickly. / I acted before I should have.
24. Lose your head
Meaning: To get very upset or confused because of nerves.
Samples: Don’t lose your head during the game. / I lost my head when I forgot my lines.
To Put it Another Way: I got very upset. / I was confused and nervous.
25. Heart skips a beat
Meaning: Feeling nervous or surprised suddenly.
Samples: My heart skipped a beat when the lights went out. / She felt her heart skip a beat seeing the surprise.
To Put it Another Way: I felt nervous or shocked suddenly. / My chest felt funny for a moment.
26. Take a deep breath
Meaning: To calm down when feeling nervous.
Samples: I took a deep breath before starting the test. / She took a deep breath to stay calm.
To Put it Another Way: I tried to relax. / I breathed slowly to feel better.
27. Get butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: To feel nervous or excited inside.
Samples: I got butterflies in my stomach before the speech. / She got butterflies when she met the new student.
To Put it Another Way: I was nervous and excited. / My tummy felt funny and jumpy.
28. On tenterhooks
Meaning: Feeling very anxious waiting for news.
Samples: Mom was on tenterhooks waiting for my test results. / We were on tenterhooks before the final game.
To Put it Another Way: I was very nervous waiting. / I couldn’t wait to know what would happen.
29. Break a leg
Meaning: A way to say “Good luck” especially before a performance.
Samples: I told my friend to break a leg before the play. / “Break a leg!” said the teacher to the actors.
To Put it Another Way: Good luck! / Do your best!
30. Sweaty palms
Meaning: Having hands that feel wet from nervousness.
Samples: I had sweaty palms before my speech. / She noticed her sweaty palms during the test.
o Put it Another Way: My hands felt wet and nervous. / I was worried and my hands got clammy.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Anxiety
Last week was the school talent show, and Mia was feeling butterflies in her stomach. She was about to sing in front of everyone, and her heart was in her throat. Her best friend Jake told her to take a deep breath and stay calm. Mia tried, but she was still on pins and needles waiting for her turn.
When the music started, Mia walked on stage. Suddenly, she felt like she might lose her cool, but she kept going. After she finished singing, she noticed her palms were sweaty, but she was proud she didn’t freeze up. Later, her teacher said, “You did great! Don’t get worked up about being nervous next time.”
Mia smiled, feeling a little braver. She knew that everyone feels nervous sometimes, but with practice, she could keep her cool better.
Your task:
Underline or list all the idioms about anxiety you find in the story above.
Answer Key
- Butterflies in your stomach
- Heart in your throat
- Take a deep breath
- On pins and needles
- Lose your cool
- Sweaty palms
- Freeze up
- Get worked up
Conclusion
Idioms about anxiety help us talk about feelings of nervousness in a clear and fun way. They show how people feel inside when they are worried or scared. Learning these idioms can help you understand others and express your own feelings better.
Remember, feeling nervous is normal, and using these idioms can make it easier to share your thoughts and stay calm when things feel tough.
