Feeling anxious is something everyone experiences sometimes. It happens when we worry about what might happen or when we feel nervous about a situation. Idioms about being anxious help us talk about these feelings in fun and easy ways. These phrases show how people describe nervousness or worry without using long explanations.
In this article, you will learn about 30 idioms for anxious. Each one has a meaning and examples to help you understand how to use them. You will also get a chance to find these idioms in a short activity. This will make it easier and more fun to learn about feeling anxious and how to talk about it in everyday life.
Idioms for Anxious
1. On edge
Meaning: Feeling very nervous or worried.
Samples: I was on edge before the big test. / She felt on edge waiting for her turn to speak.
To Put it Another Way: I was very nervous. / I felt shaky and worried.
2. Butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: Feeling nervous, especially before something important.
Samples: I had butterflies in my stomach before the school play. / He felt butterflies before the big game.
To Put it Another Way: My tummy felt funny because I was nervous. / I was excited but scared at the same time.
3. Lose your cool
Meaning: To get upset or nervous and not stay calm.
Samples: She almost lost her cool during the argument. / Don’t lose your cool if you make a mistake.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t get too upset. / Stay calm even if things go wrong.
4. On pins and needles
Meaning: Feeling anxious and unable to wait calmly.
Samples: We were on pins and needles waiting for the test results. / He sat on pins and needles before the announcement.
To Put it Another Way: I was very nervous and restless. / I couldn’t wait and felt worried.
5. A bundle of nerves
Meaning: Someone who feels very nervous.
Samples: She was a bundle of nerves before her speech. / I was a bundle of nerves at the dentist.
To Put it Another Way: I was full of worry. / I felt very tense and scared.
6. Break out in a sweat
Meaning: To become nervous and start sweating.
Samples: He broke out in a sweat during the test. / I broke out in a sweat when I saw the big crowd.
To Put it Another Way: I started sweating because I was nervous. / My body showed I was scared.
7. Heart in your throat
Meaning: Feeling very scared or nervous.
Samples: My heart was in my throat during the scary part of the movie. / She had her heart in her throat before the race.
To Put it Another Way: I felt very scared and worried. / My chest felt tight with nerves.
8. Get cold feet
Meaning: To suddenly feel too nervous to do something.
Samples: He got cold feet before the school play. / I got cold feet and didn’t want to try the roller coaster.
To Put it Another Way: I became too scared to go on. / I felt nervous and wanted to stop.
9. Butterflies flying around
Meaning: Feeling nervous and excited at the same time.
Samples: She had butterflies flying around before the dance. / I felt butterflies flying around before my speech.
To Put it Another Way: I was nervous but also excited. / My feelings were mixed and jittery.
10. Shake like a leaf
Meaning: To shake because you are very nervous or scared.
Samples: I shook like a leaf during the test. / She shook like a leaf when she saw the big dog.
To Put it Another Way: My body trembled with fear. / I couldn’t stop shaking because I was nervous.
11. On tenterhooks
Meaning: Feeling anxious because you are waiting for news.
Samples: We were on tenterhooks for the final grades. / She was on tenterhooks waiting for her birthday surprise.
To Put it Another Way: I was very nervous waiting. / I couldn’t relax because I was unsure.
12. Feel the jitters
Meaning: To feel nervous and shaky.
Samples: I felt the jitters before the school play. / He felt the jitters before giving his speech.
To Put it Another Way: I was shaky and scared. / My body felt restless with nerves.
13. Break the ice
Meaning: To get past nervousness and start feeling comfortable.
Samples: I told a joke to break the ice with new friends. / The teacher helped break the ice on the first day.
To Put it Another Way: I stopped feeling nervous. / I made things less scary and more fun.
14. Walking on eggshells
Meaning: Being very careful because you are nervous about upsetting someone.
Samples: I was walking on eggshells around my teacher. / She walked on eggshells so she wouldn’t make him mad.
To Put it Another Way: I was very careful and nervous. / I didn’t want to cause trouble.
15. Butterflies in your chest
Meaning: Feeling anxious or nervous inside.
Samples: I had butterflies in my chest before the competition. / She felt butterflies in her chest waiting for the results.
To Put it Another Way: My heart felt nervous and fluttery. / I was scared but hopeful.
16. Lose your head
Meaning: To become very nervous and act without thinking.
Samples: Don’t lose your head when you make a mistake. / He lost his head during the big test.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t panic. / Stay calm and think clearly.
17. Jump out of your skin
Meaning: To be very startled or scared suddenly.
Samples: I jumped out of my skin when the bell rang loud. / She jumped out of her skin at the loud noise.
To Put it Another Way: I was very surprised and scared. / I jumped because I was shocked.
18. Have a nervous breakdown
Meaning: To feel very upset and stressed because of anxiety.
Samples: He almost had a nervous breakdown before the test. / She had a nervous breakdown after too much homework.
To Put it Another Way: I felt very stressed and upset. / I was overwhelmed and tired.
19. Get butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: To feel nervous and excited inside.
Samples: I get butterflies in my stomach before my piano recital. / She gets butterflies before every big game.
To Put it Another Way: I feel nervous but ready. / My stomach feels funny with excitement.
20. At your wit’s end
Meaning: Feeling very worried and not knowing what to do.
Samples: I was at my wit’s end trying to finish my homework. / She was at her wit’s end with the noisy classroom.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t know what to do. / I felt very stressed and confused.
21. On the edge of your seat
Meaning: Feeling very excited and nervous about what will happen next.
Samples: I was on the edge of my seat during the movie. / She sat on the edge of her seat waiting for the results.
To Put it Another Way: I was very excited and nervous. / I couldn’t wait to see what happens.
22. Get worked up
Meaning: To become nervous or upset about something.
Samples: Don’t get worked up about a small mistake. / He got worked up before the big game.
To Put it Another Way: Don’t get too upset. / Try to stay calm.
23. Have butterflies
Meaning: To feel nervous or excited.
Samples: I always have butterflies before a test. / She has butterflies when she talks to her crush.
To Put it Another Way: I feel nervous and excited. / My heart feels jumpy.
24. Cold sweat
Meaning: Sweating because you are scared or nervous.
Samples: He broke out in a cold sweat before the speech. / I got a cold sweat during the scary part of the movie.
To Put it Another Way: I was sweating because I was scared. / My body showed I was nervous.
25. On the ropes
Meaning: Feeling like you are about to fail or lose.
Samples: She was on the ropes during the spelling bee but kept going. / I felt on the ropes before the big test.
To Put it Another Way: I felt like I might lose. / I was close to giving up.
26. Shaking like a leaf
Meaning: Trembling because of nervousness or fear.
Samples: I was shaking like a leaf before my presentation. / She was shaking like a leaf during the thunderstorm.
To Put it Another Way: I was trembling with fear. / I couldn’t stop shaking.
27. Feel jittery
Meaning: Feeling nervous and shaky.
Samples: I felt jittery before the big game. / He felt jittery waiting for his turn.
To Put it Another Way: I felt shaky and nervous. / My body was restless.
28. Get your nerves under control
Meaning: To calm down when you are nervous.
Samples: I took deep breaths to get my nerves under control. / She got her nerves under control before the test.
To Put it Another Way: I calmed down. / I stopped feeling nervous.
29. Lose your nerve
Meaning: To suddenly feel too scared to do something.
Samples: I lost my nerve and didn’t go up on stage. / He lost his nerve at the last minute.
To Put it Another Way: I became too scared. / I didn’t have courage anymore.
30. Get the jitters
Meaning: To feel nervous and shaky.
Samples: I get the jitters before every big test. / She got the jitters before the game started.
To Put it Another Way: I feel nervous and shaky. / My body feels jumpy.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Anxious
Last week, our class was getting ready for the big school talent show. Everyone was feeling a bit on edge. Mia had butterflies in her stomach because she was about to sing in front of the whole school. Jake tried to get his nerves under control by taking deep breaths, but he was still shaking like a leaf.
When it was Mia’s turn, she felt her heart in her throat and almost lost her cool. But she didn’t give up. She said, “I might have cold sweat, but I’m ready!” The crowd cheered, and Mia felt like she was on the edge of her seat too.
Later, Jake was about to perform, but he suddenly got cold feet. His friends told him not to lose his nerve. He took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage, even though he was a bundle of nerves.
After the show, everyone was talking about how they had been a bundle of nerves but did their best. We all felt like we were walking on eggshells before the show, but once it started, we stopped feeling nervous. It was exciting to see friends get worked up and then calm down.
Now that the show is over, I don’t have butterflies in my chest anymore. I learned it’s okay to feel nervous, but you can still do great things if you don’t lose your cool.
Task:
Read the story above again. Find and list the 8 idioms for anxious used in the passage. You can underline them or write them down.
Answer Key
- On edge
- Butterflies in your stomach
- Get your nerves under control
- Shaking like a leaf
- Heart in your throat
- Lose your cool
- Cold sweat
- On the edge of your seat
Conclusion
Idioms about feeling anxious help us talk about nervousness in a clear and fun way. Using these phrases makes it easier to share how we feel without needing many words. Whether you have butterflies in your stomach or are on edge, these idioms help us understand and explain our feelings better.
Learning these expressions can also help you stay calm and confident. The next time you feel nervous, remember that it’s normal, and you can handle it just like the idioms say.
