Feeling nervous is something everyone understands. Maybe you’ve felt butterflies in your stomach before giving a speech. Or perhaps your hands got sweaty right before a big test. People often use special phrases, called idioms, to describe these nervous feelings. Idioms are groups of words that mean something different from what each word says by itself.
Learning idioms about being nervous can be fun and helpful. They help you explain your feelings in a clearer way. When someone says they have “cold feet,” it doesn’t mean their feet are actually cold. It means they are scared to do something. In this article, you’ll learn several idioms about being nervous, and you’ll get to test your understanding with a quick quiz.
Idioms about Being Nervous
1. Butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: Feeling nervous or uneasy about something.
Within a Sentence: Emma had butterflies in her stomach before her soccer match./I always get butterflies in my stomach on the first day of school.
In Other Words: Feeling jittery./Feeling uneasy inside.
2. Cold feet
Meaning: Becoming nervous and unsure before doing something.
Within a Sentence: Tim got cold feet right before jumping off the diving board./Amy had cold feet about giving a speech in class.
In Other Words: Feeling hesitant./Getting scared last minute.
3. On pins and needles
Meaning: Feeling very anxious or nervous about something that might happen.
Within a Sentence: The class was on pins and needles waiting for the test results./I’m on pins and needles waiting to see if I made the team.
In Other Words: Feeling very worried./Feeling tense.
4. A bundle of nerves
Meaning: Feeling extremely nervous.
Within a Sentence: Before her piano recital, Ava was a bundle of nerves./Mark was a bundle of nerves on stage.
In Other Words: Extremely anxious./Very worried and tense.
5. Sweating bullets
Meaning: Feeling very nervous or worried.
Within a Sentence: Sam was sweating bullets during his math test./She was sweating bullets before talking to the principal.
In Other Words: Very anxious./Extremely worried.
6. Shaking like a leaf
Meaning: Shaking from being scared or nervous.
Within a Sentence: Mia was shaking like a leaf during her presentation./I was shaking like a leaf after watching that scary movie.
In Other Words: Trembling from nervousness./Feeling shaky.
7. On edge
Meaning: Feeling tense and nervous.
Within a Sentence: Dad was on edge waiting to hear about his job interview./I was on edge before my dentist appointment.
In Other Words: Feeling tense./Feeling jumpy.
8. Bite your nails
Meaning: Feeling anxious or worried.
Within a Sentence: Noah bites his nails whenever he is nervous about tests./I always bite my nails during scary movies.
In Other Words: Feeling worried./Feeling uneasy.
9. Heart in your throat
Meaning: Feeling very frightened or anxious suddenly.
Within a Sentence: I had my heart in my throat when I saw the roller coaster drop./Her heart was in her throat during the thunderstorm.
In Other Words: Feeling sudden fear./Very scared suddenly.
10. Break out in a cold sweat
Meaning: Becoming extremely nervous quickly.
Within a Sentence: Jake broke out in a cold sweat when he forgot his homework./She broke out in a cold sweat hearing about the pop quiz.
In Other Words: Suddenly nervous./Quickly becoming anxious.
11. Lose your cool
Meaning: Becoming nervous and unable to stay calm.
Within a Sentence: I lost my cool when my project didn’t work./Kelly lost her cool right before her dance performance.
In Other Words: Becoming nervous quickly./Unable to stay calm.
12. Hold your breath
Meaning: Feeling anxious or worried while waiting for something.
Within a Sentence: I was holding my breath waiting for the final score of the game./Emily held her breath when the teacher handed out report cards.
In Other Words: Nervously waiting./Feeling anxious anticipation.
13. Have your stomach in knots
Meaning: Feeling extremely nervous or worried.
Within a Sentence:My stomach was in knots before the spelling bee./Her stomach was in knots before going on stage.
In Other Words:Feeling very worried./Feeling extremely uneasy.
14. Like a cat on a hot tin roof
Meaning: Unable to relax due to nervousness.
Within a Sentence: Luke paced around like a cat on a hot tin roof before the big game./She was like a cat on a hot tin roof before meeting the principal.
In Other Words: Extremely restless./Can’t sit still because of nerves.
15. Jelly legs
Meaning: Legs feeling weak from nervousness.
Within a Sentence: Emma had jelly legs after finishing her solo dance./My legs felt like jelly after speaking in front of the class.
In Other Words: Legs feeling weak./Feeling shaky and nervous.
16. Nervous wreck
Meaning: Very nervous and unable to stay calm.
Within a Sentence: Mom was a nervous wreck before my brother came home late./I was a nervous wreck before starting middle school.
In Other Words: Extremely nervous./Very stressed.
17. Tongue-tied
Meaning: Unable to speak clearly because of nervousness.
Within a Sentence: Ella was tongue-tied when she met her favorite singer./I became tongue-tied during my speech in class.
In Other Words: Unable to find words./Speechless from nerves.
18. Jump out of your skin
Meaning: Feeling suddenly scared or nervous.
Within a Sentence: I nearly jumped out of my skin when the lights suddenly went out./Matt jumped out of his skin when the door slammed shut.
In Other Words: Suddenly frightened./Nervous from surprise.
19. Have ants in your pants
Meaning: Unable to stay still due to nerves or excitement.
Within a Sentence: Sam had ants in his pants before going to Disneyland./I had ants in my pants waiting for school vacation.
In Other Words: Unable to stay still./Feeling restless.
20. Stressed out
Meaning: Feeling very worried or nervous.
Within a Sentence: Jenna was stressed out about her math homework./My sister gets stressed out when she has too much work.
In Other Words: Feeling overwhelmed./Very worried.
21. Panic button
Meaning: Becoming nervous or panicking quickly.
Within a Sentence: Don’t hit the panic button; we can fix the problem./When Tom lost his homework, he pressed the panic button immediately.
In Other Words: Start panicking./Quickly become scared.
22. Go weak at the knees
Meaning: Feeling nervous or shaky.
Within a Sentence: I went weak at the knees seeing the huge crowd./Ava went weak at the knees when she stepped on stage.
In Other Words: Feeling shaky./Becoming nervous quickly.
23. Pull your hair out
Meaning: Becoming very nervous or frustrated.
Within a Sentence: Dad was pulling his hair out trying to fix the computer./I’m pulling my hair out studying for finals.
In Other Words: Feeling frustrated./Very anxious and stressed.
24. Freeze up
Meaning: Becoming unable to think or move because of nervousness.
Within a Sentence: Mia froze up when she forgot her lines./I froze up during the spelling contest.
In Other Words: Unable to respond./Feeling stuck due to nerves.
25. Scared stiff
Meaning: Extremely scared or nervous.
Within a Sentence: The thunderstorm had me scared stiff./I was scared stiff walking through the haunted house.
In Other Words: Very frightened./Too scared to move.
26. At your wit’s end
Meaning: Feeling extremely nervous or frustrated.
Within a Sentence: Mom was at her wit’s end when the baby wouldn’t stop crying./I’m at my wit’s end about finishing this project on time.
In Other Words: Very worried and upset./Out of ideas because of worry.
27. Have the jitters
Meaning: Feeling nervous or shaky.
Within a Sentence: Liam had the jitters before the baseball game started./I always get the jitters before performing in a concert.
In Other Words: Feeling jumpy./Nervous and shaky.
28. Like a deer in the headlights
Meaning: Feeling scared and unable to move or react.
Within a Sentence: When the teacher asked him a question, Jake looked like a deer in the headlights./I stood like a deer in the headlights during my presentation.
In Other Words: Frozen by fear./Unable to react quickly.
29. Losing sleep over something
Meaning: Feeling nervous or worried and unable to sleep.
Within a Sentence: She was losing sleep over tomorrow’s big test./My brother is losing sleep over his science project.
In Other Words: Worrying a lot at night./Too nervous to sleep.
30. Walking on eggshells
Meaning: Feeling careful or nervous about upsetting someone.
Within a Sentence: After my sister lost her phone, we were all walking on eggshells./Everyone walked on eggshells around Dad after he lost his job.
In Other Words: Being very careful./Trying not to upset anyone.
31. Mind racing
Meaning: Having lots of anxious thoughts at once.
Within a Sentence: My mind was racing before my interview./Her mind started racing when she realized she forgot her homework.
In Other Words: Having lots of nervous thoughts./Thinking too quickly from worry.
32. Sweating it out
Meaning: Feeling anxious while waiting for something.
Within a Sentence: I was sweating it out before the teacher gave back our grades./Olivia was sweating it out waiting for soccer team tryout results.
In Other Words: Feeling tense and nervous./Nervously waiting.
33. Up a wall
Meaning: Feeling very nervous or annoyed.
Within a Sentence: Homework problems drove me up a wall last night./My brother’s noisy music sends me up a wall.
In Other Words: Extremely frustrated./Feeling very anxious.
34. Lose your nerve
Meaning: Suddenly becoming too nervous to do something.
Within a Sentence: Ben lost his nerve right before jumping into the pool./I lost my nerve when it was my turn to give a speech.
In Other Words: Becoming too nervous./Suddenly too scared to continue.
35. Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs
Meaning: Extremely nervous and uneasy.
Within a Sentence: Before the spelling bee, I was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs./He felt like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs at his first dance.
In Other Words: Feeling extremely anxious./Very uncomfortable due to nerves.
36. Chew your nails
Meaning: Feeling very worried.
Within a Sentence: Rachel chewed her nails watching her favorite team play./I chew my nails every time I watch a scary movie.
In Other Words: Feeling very anxious./Nervously biting your nails.
37. On tenterhooks
Meaning: Feeling nervous because you’re waiting to see what happens next.
Within a Sentence: We were on tenterhooks waiting to hear if school was canceled./She was on tenterhooks waiting to find out her test results.
In Other Words: Feeling nervous and uncertain./Anxiously waiting.
38. Jumping at shadows
Meaning: Easily scared or nervous.
Within a Sentence: After the scary movie, I was jumping at shadows all night./My sister was jumping at shadows during the thunderstorm.
In Other Words: Easily frightened./Nervous over small things.
39. Get goosebumps
Meaning: Feeling nervous, scared, or excited causing your skin to react.
Within a Sentence: I got goosebumps when the lights flickered in the dark hallway./Hearing spooky stories always gives me goosebumps.
In Other Words: Feeling nervous chills./Having shivers due to nerves.
40. Feel faint-hearted
Meaning: Feeling nervous and weak.
Within a Sentence: I felt faint-hearted standing in front of the big crowd./Emily was faint-hearted before climbing onto the stage.
In Other Words: Feeling nervous and weak./Feeling shaky due to nerves.
41. Sitting on thorns
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable and nervous.
Within a Sentence: The wait for test results had me sitting on thorns./Luke was sitting on thorns waiting to hear if he made the soccer team.
In Other Words: Feeling anxious and restless./Nervously waiting.
42. Get stage fright
Meaning: Feeling extremely nervous about performing in front of people.
Within a Sentence: Sarah got stage fright during her dance recital./I always get stage fright before school plays.
In Other Words: Feeling nervous on stage./Afraid to perform publicly.
43. Feel rattled
Meaning: Feeling upset or nervous.
Within a Sentence: The loud fire alarm left everyone rattled./My sister felt rattled after arguing with her best friend.
In Other Words: Feeling shaken up./Unsettled and anxious.
44. Nervous as a turkey in November
Meaning: Very nervous and worried.
Within a Sentence: Before her test results, Lisa was nervous as a turkey in November./He felt as nervous as a turkey in November before his dentist visit.
In Other Words: Extremely nervous./Very anxious and scared.
45. Feel jumpy
Meaning: Easily startled or nervous.
Within a Sentence: After watching the scary show, I felt jumpy all evening./Loud noises always make my dog jumpy.
In Other Words: Easily startled./Nervous and twitchy.
46. On shaky ground
Meaning: Feeling unsure or nervous about something.
Within a Sentence: I felt on shaky ground when I didn’t study enough for the quiz./Emma was on shaky ground trying a new gymnastics move.
In Other Words: Feeling uncertain./Nervous about making mistakes.
47. Lose your head
Meaning: Becoming so nervous you can’t think clearly.
Within a Sentence: I nearly lost my head when I forgot my homework at home./Dad lost his head looking for his missing car keys.
In Other Words: Panicking./Very nervous and confused.
48. Quaking in your boots
Meaning: Feeling very nervous or afraid.
Within a Sentence: Tom was quaking in his boots before riding the roller coaster./She was quaking in her boots during the thunderstorm.
In Other Words: Extremely scared./Trembling from nervousness.
49. Chicken out
Meaning: Becoming too nervous to do something and backing out.
Within a Sentence: Mike chickened out of climbing the high diving board./I chickened out of singing in front of the class.
In Other Words: Losing courage./Getting scared and stopping.
50. Feel uneasy
Meaning: Feeling slightly nervous or uncomfortable.
Within a Sentence: I felt uneasy being in a new school./Max felt uneasy about trying out for the basketball team.
In Other Words: Nervous or worried./Uncomfortable about something new.
51. In a tizzy
Meaning: Feeling very nervous or confused.
Within a Sentence: Mom was in a tizzy trying to get ready for Thanksgiving dinner./My sister was in a tizzy looking for her lost homework.
In Other Words: Nervous and confused./Panicked and flustered.
52. Twitchy as a rabbit
Meaning: Feeling nervous, jumpy, or easily scared.
Within a Sentence: After hearing strange noises, I was twitchy as a rabbit./Our dog gets twitchy as a rabbit during fireworks.
In Other Words: Easily startled./Nervous and jumpy.
53. Stomach doing flips
Meaning: Feeling nervous or anxious inside.
Within a Sentence: My stomach was doing flips before I rode my first roller coaster./Her stomach did flips when she saw the test questions.
In Other Words: Nervous stomach./Feeling jittery inside.
54. Heart racing
Meaning: Feeling nervous and excited, causing your heart to beat faster.
Within a Sentence: My heart was racing right before the basketball game started./His heart was racing as he waited his turn to speak in class.
In Other Words: Feeling nervous excitement./Heart beating fast from nerves.
55. Feel tense
Meaning: Feeling very nervous and unable to relax.
Within a Sentence: I always feel tense before final exams./Everyone was tense waiting for the fire drill to end.
In Other Words: Very worried./Unable to relax due to nerves.
56. On high alert
Meaning: Feeling extremely nervous and watchful.
Within a Sentence: The teachers were on high alert during the storm./My dog is on high alert when strangers knock on the door.
In Other Words: Very watchful and nervous./Paying careful attention due to worry.
57. Jittery nerves
Meaning: Feeling nervous and unable to stay calm.
Within a Sentence: My jittery nerves kept me awake all night before the field trip./Emma’s jittery nerves made her drop her pencil during the test.
In Other Words: Feeling restless./Unable to calm down.
58. Lose sleep
Meaning: Feeling nervous or worried and unable to sleep.
Within a Sentence: Luke lost sleep worrying about the class presentation./My friend lost sleep over the championship soccer game.
In Other Words: Too worried to sleep./Nervous at bedtime.
59. Worry yourself sick
Meaning: Feeling extremely worried and nervous.
Within a Sentence: Mom worried herself sick when I came home late./I worried myself sick about passing the math exam.
In Other Words: Extremely anxious./Making yourself ill with worry.
60. Feel wired
Meaning: Feeling nervous, alert, and unable to relax.
Within a Sentence: I felt wired after drinking soda late at night./Sarah felt wired waiting to see her favorite band perform.
In Other Words: Feeling overly alert./Too excited and nervous to calm down.
Idioms About Being Nervous – True or False Quiz
- Having “butterflies in your stomach” means you feel nervous.
- If you get “cold feet,” it means your feet are cold from snow.
- Feeling “on pins and needles” means you are calm and relaxed.
- A person who is a “bundle of nerves” is extremely nervous.
- “Sweating bullets” means someone is very worried or anxious.
- “Shaking like a leaf” describes a person who is feeling brave and strong.
- If you are “on edge,” it means you’re feeling calm and sleepy.
- “Biting your nails” usually means you’re feeling nervous or worried.
- Having your “heart in your throat” means you’re very happy and relaxed.
- “Breaking out in a cold sweat” means suddenly becoming very nervous.
- “Holding your breath” means you’re waiting nervously for something to happen.
- Being “stressed out” means you are feeling calm and peaceful.
- “Getting stage fright” means feeling excited and eager to perform.
- If you’re “walking on eggshells,” you’re trying hard not to upset someone.
- “Chicken out” means becoming brave and completing a scary task.
Answers:
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide:
- 15 Correct Answers: Idioms Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Learning idioms about being nervous helps you describe your feelings clearly. Using these idioms makes your speech more interesting. The next time you feel nervous at school, home, or with friends, try using one of these idioms. It will help others understand exactly how you’re feeling. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll easily know what each idiom means.
