Anxiety is a common human emotion, and English idioms capture it in vivid, relatable ways. Whether it’s “butterflies in your stomach” before a big event or being “on edge” during stressful times, these expressions bring feelings of worry to life.

Idioms for anxiety are used in everyday conversation to express nervousness, tension, or unease in a more colorful and natural way. They help you connect emotionally and speak with more fluency.

In this article, we’ll explore 27 idioms that reflect anxiety, along with their meanings and examples.

1. On Pins and Needles

Meaning: Feeling very anxious or nervous.
Example: “I was on pins and needles waiting for the test results.”
Tone: Tense, uneasy.
Other ways to say it: Nervous, restless.

2. A Bundle of Nerves

Meaning: A very anxious or tense person.
Example: “Before the interview, she was a bundle of nerves.”
Tone: Intense, overwhelmed.
Other ways to say it: Extremely nervous, jittery.

3. Bite One’s Nails

Meaning: To show anxiety or nervousness.
Example: “He was biting his nails before his big presentation.”
Tone: Worried, apprehensive.
Other ways to say it: Fidgeting, uneasy.

4. A Knotted Stomach

Meaning: A tight, uncomfortable feeling in the stomach due to anxiety.
Example: “I had a knotted stomach before the speech.”
Tone: Physical discomfort, tension.
Other ways to say it: Butterflies in the stomach, tense.

5. Walking on Eggshells

Meaning: Being extremely cautious to avoid trouble.
Example: “Since the argument, I’ve been walking on eggshells around her.”
Tone: Cautious, uneasy.
Other ways to say it: Tiptoeing, careful.

6. A Weight on One’s Shoulders

Meaning: A heavy burden of worry.
Example: “Since taking the new job, I’ve felt a weight on my shoulders.”
Tone: Overwhelmed, stressed.
Other ways to say it: Feeling burdened, carrying stress.

7. A Cold Sweat

Meaning: Sweating due to fear or nervousness.
Example: “I broke out in a cold sweat before my exam.”
Tone: Nervous, panicked.
Other ways to say it: Feeling clammy, anxious.

8. Make One’s Blood Run Cold

Meaning: To cause extreme fear or anxiety.
Example: “The horror story made my blood run cold.”
Tone: Frightened, shocked.
Other ways to say it: Terrifying, spine-chilling.

9. Butterflies in the Stomach

Meaning: A nervous, fluttery feeling.
Example: “I always get butterflies in my stomach before public speaking.”
Tone: Nervous, excited.
Other ways to say it: Anxious anticipation, jittery.

10. Lose Sleep Over Something

Meaning: To worry so much that it affects sleep.
Example: “I lost sleep over my financial problems.”
Tone: Stressed, concerned.
Other ways to say it: Worrying, restless.

11. A Deer in the Headlights

Meaning: To freeze in fear or anxiety.
Example: “When the teacher called on me, I was like a deer in the headlights.”
Tone: Shocked, paralyzed.
Other ways to say it: Stunned, caught off guard.

12. On Edge

Meaning: Feeling very tense or anxious.
Example: “I’ve been on edge all day waiting for the results.”
Tone: Nervous, tense.
Other ways to say it: Stressed, uneasy.

13. Hanging by a Thread

Meaning: In a very uncertain or dangerous situation.
Example: “His job security is hanging by a thread.”
Tone: Unstable, worried.
Other ways to say it: Risky, vulnerable.

14. Have One’s Heart in One’s Mouth

Meaning: To feel extreme fear or anxiety.
Example: “I had my heart in my mouth when I saw the car accident.”
Tone: Fearful, panicked.
Other ways to say it: Terrified, scared stiff.

15. Pace the Floor

Meaning: To walk back and forth due to nervousness.
Example: “He was pacing the floor while waiting for news from the hospital.”
Tone: Restless, anxious.
Other ways to say it: Fidgeting, worried.

16. Jump Out of One’s Skin

Meaning: To be extremely startled or anxious.
Example: “I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard that loud noise.”
Tone: Scared, on edge.
Other ways to say it: Startled, frightened.

17. Sweating Bullets

Meaning: Extremely nervous.
Example: “I was sweating bullets during my job interview.”
Tone: Intense, pressured.
Other ways to say it: Extremely worried, stressed.

18. Have a Lump in One’s Throat

Meaning: Feeling so anxious or emotional that it’s hard to speak.
Example: “I had a lump in my throat as I walked onto the stage.”
Tone: Emotional, overwhelmed.
Other ways to say it: Choked up, speechless.

19. Have a Knot in One’s Stomach

Meaning: Feeling physically uneasy due to worry.
Example: “I had a knot in my stomach before my final exam.”
Tone: Nervous, queasy.
Other ways to say it: Stomach in knots, anxious.

20. Shaking Like a Leaf

Meaning: Trembling from nervousness or fear.
Example: “I was shaking like a leaf before my first flight.”
Tone: Afraid, unsteady.
Other ways to say it: Trembling, jittery.

21. Feel One’s Heart Race

Meaning: To feel an increased heartbeat due to anxiety.
Example: “My heart raced when I heard the bad news.”
Tone: Nervous, intense.
Other ways to say it: Palpitations, pounding heart.

22. Nail-Biter

Meaning: A tense or anxious situation.
Example: “The last minutes of the game were a real nail-biter.”
Tone: Exciting, suspenseful.
Other ways to say it: Close call, nerve-wracking.

23. Chilled to the Bone

Meaning: To feel deep fear or anxiety.
Example: “The eerie silence chilled me to the bone.”
Tone: Spooky, anxious.
Other ways to say it: Deeply unsettled, disturbed.

24. Have a Bad Feeling About Something

Meaning: To sense that something will go wrong.
Example: “I have a bad feeling about this risky deal.”
Tone: Suspicious, uneasy.
Other ways to say it: Gut feeling, sense of doom.

25. Take One’s Breath Away (Not in a Good Way)

Meaning: To feel overwhelmed with anxiety.
Example: “The stress of the situation took my breath away.”
Tone: Stifling, panicked.
Other ways to say it: Overwhelmed, suffocated.

26. A Tight Spot

Meaning: A difficult and stressful situation.
Example: “Losing my job put me in a tight spot financially.”
Tone: Challenging, pressure-filled.
Other ways to say it: In a bind, difficult situation.

27. The Jitters

Meaning: A feeling of nervous excitement.
Example: “I had the jitters before my wedding.”
Tone: Anxious but excited.
Other ways to say it: Nervous energy, pre-show nerves.

Conclusion

From subtle nerves to full-blown panic, these 27 idioms for anxiety offer expressive tools for describing how we feel under pressure. They’re commonly used by native speakers and can make your English sound more natural and emotionally accurate.

Phrases like “breaking into a cold sweat” or “losing sleep over it” let you communicate anxiety in ways that are both vivid and relatable. Keep practicing them in context to make your language more fluent and real.

Because sometimes, the right words can ease the worry just a little.