Idioms are fun and expressive ways to talk about our feelings, especially when those feelings are tangled up in worry or nerves. When anxiety creeps in—whether from school, relationships, or life’s curveballs—using idioms can help us express those emotions in a more colorful, relatable way.
In this blog post, we’ll unpack 47 idioms related to anxiety. You’ll not only learn their meanings but also see them used in full, vivid sentences that show how these phrases work in real-life conversations.
Let’s explore how language can turn anxious thoughts into powerful expressions.
What is an Idiom for Anxiety?
Idioms for anxiety are phrases that use figurative language to express stress, nervousness, or overwhelming emotions. Rather than stating something directly, these idioms allow us to paint a picture with our words.
Whether you’re talking to a friend, writing a story, or just trying to name what you’re feeling, these idioms can give your expression more punch and personality.
Idioms for Anxiety
1. Butterflies in My Stomach
Meaning: Feeling nervous or anxious, usually before a big event.
In a Sentence: As I waited for my turn to speak on stage, I felt a swarm of butterflies in my stomach fluttering like they were ready to fly out.
2. On Pins and Needles
Meaning: Being in a state of nervous anticipation or anxiety.
In a Sentence: I was on pins and needles the entire time she checked the test results, barely able to breathe from the tension.
3. Lose Sleep Over It
Meaning: To worry so much that it affects your ability to rest or sleep.
In a Sentence: I kept going over that awkward conversation in my head, losing sleep over it night after night.
4. Sweating Bullets
Meaning: Feeling extreme nervousness or anxiety.
In a Sentence: When they called my name unexpectedly during the meeting, I started sweating bullets even though I hadn’t done anything wrong.
5. A Bundle of Nerves
Meaning: A person who is extremely nervous or anxious.
In a Sentence: Before my final interview, I was a total bundle of nerves, pacing back and forth and repeating my answers to myself.
6. My Heart Was in My Mouth
Meaning: Feeling intense fear or anxiety, usually due to anticipation.
In a Sentence: When I saw the flashing police lights behind me, my heart was in my mouth as I pulled over.
7. Have Cold Feet
Meaning: To become nervous and hesitant about a big decision.
In a Sentence: Just before the wedding started, he confessed to having cold feet and needing a moment to breathe.
8. At Wit’s End
Meaning: Feeling so worried or frustrated that you don’t know what to do next.
In a Sentence: After days of failed attempts to fix the problem, I was truly at wit’s end and ready to call for help.
9. In a Tizzy
Meaning: Being agitated or overly anxious, often in a panicked or confused way.
In a Sentence: She got into such a tizzy about forgetting her presentation notes that she nearly left her laptop at home.
10. Worried Sick
Meaning: Extremely anxious about someone or something.
In a Sentence: When my son didn’t come home by midnight, I was worried sick, checking my phone every minute for a call.
11. Nerves of Steel (or Lack Thereof)
Meaning: Extreme calmness or bravery under pressure—or the opposite.
In a Sentence: I definitely don’t have nerves of steel, because just one unexpected question sends me spiraling into anxiety.
12. Break Into a Cold Sweat
Meaning: To suddenly feel intense fear or panic, often physically.
In a Sentence: As soon as I realized I’d sent the wrong email attachment, I broke into a cold sweat imagining the consequences.
13. Climbing the Walls
Meaning: Feeling extremely anxious or restless, especially from being confined.
In a Sentence: After three days stuck inside during the storm, I was climbing the walls from boredom and anxious energy.
14. Bite Your Nails
Meaning: To be visibly anxious or nervous.
In a Sentence: He was biting his nails nonstop as he waited to hear if he got into his dream university.
15. On Edge
Meaning: Feeling tense, irritable, or anxious.
In a Sentence: I’ve been so on edge this week from juggling work, deadlines, and the uncertainty of that upcoming meeting.
16. Like a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Meaning: Acting extremely nervous, restless, or jumpy.
In a Sentence: She was pacing around like a cat on a hot tin roof while waiting for the doctor’s call.
17. Walking on Thin Ice
Meaning: In a risky or dangerous situation that could easily go wrong.
In a Sentence: After forgetting two deadlines already, I felt like I was walking on thin ice with my boss.
18. Jump Out of My Skin
Meaning: To react strongly to fear or surprise.
In a Sentence: When someone knocked loudly at my door in the middle of the night, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
19. Heart Skipped a Beat
Meaning: Feeling a sudden shock, fear, or excitement.
In a Sentence: My heart skipped a beat when I saw a message from my ex unexpectedly appear on my phone screen.
20. A Nervous Wreck
Meaning: A person who is emotionally overwhelmed or falling apart from anxiety.
In a Sentence: I was a nervous wreck all day, waiting for the interview call that seemed like it would never come.
21. Shake Like a Leaf
Meaning: To tremble due to fear or anxiety.
In a Sentence: I was shaking like a leaf after walking out of that horror movie—it felt a little too real.
22. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew
Meaning: Taking on more responsibility or stress than you can handle.
In a Sentence: By agreeing to organize the event and finish my final paper in the same week, I definitely bit off more than I could chew.
23. Catch Your Breath
Meaning: Trying to calm yourself down after a moment of fear or anxiety.
In a Sentence: After rushing up the stairs and panicking about being late, I had to sit down and catch my breath before walking in.
24. Go to Pieces
Meaning: To become so overwhelmed that you lose control emotionally.
In a Sentence: She went to pieces after hearing the disappointing news, unable to hold back tears or speak clearly.
25. Heart in the Right Place (But)
Meaning: Someone means well but may still feel anxious or overwhelmed.
In a Sentence: I knew she had her heart in the right place, but the pressure of the event still made her anxious and unsure.
26. Can’t Think Straight
Meaning: Feeling so anxious or stressed that your thoughts are scattered.
In a Sentence: I was so nervous before the big test that I couldn’t think straight, and even the easiest questions felt confusing.
27. Feel Like the World Is Closing In
Meaning: Feeling trapped or overwhelmed by anxiety.
In a Sentence: When all the deadlines piled up at once, I felt like the world was closing in and I couldn’t breathe properly.
28. Put Through the Wringer
Meaning: To go through a very stressful or difficult experience.
In a Sentence: That job interview put me through the wringer emotionally—I was sweating, second-guessing, and exhausted by the end.
29. Like a Deer in the Headlights
Meaning: Frozen in fear or shock, unsure of how to react.
In a Sentence: When I was called on unexpectedly in class, I just sat there like a deer in the headlights with nothing to say.
30. Hanging by a Thread
Meaning: Barely managing to hold on, emotionally or mentally.
In a Sentence: With no sleep and endless pressure, I felt like I was hanging by a thread and ready to snap at any moment.
31. Crack Under Pressure
Meaning: To fail or break down when faced with stress.
In a Sentence: I tried to keep it together during the exam, but I completely cracked under pressure halfway through the essay.
32. Storm Brewing
Meaning: A sense of upcoming conflict or emotional trouble.
In a Sentence: The way my boss was pacing and silent gave me the feeling that there was a storm brewing—and I was at the center of it.
33. Lose Your Grip
Meaning: To begin losing control over your emotions or situation.
In a Sentence: After so many sleepless nights and anxious thoughts, I started to feel like I was losing my grip on reality.
34. In Over Your Head
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed by a situation that’s too much to handle.
In a Sentence: I signed up for too many responsibilities at once and quickly realized I was in over my head.
35. Crack Up
Meaning: To break down emotionally or mentally under pressure.
In a Sentence: She tried to hide it, but after days of stress, she finally cracked up and burst into tears at her desk.
36. Don’t Know Whether to Laugh or Cry
Meaning: Feeling so overwhelmed that your emotions are mixed and confusing.
In a Sentence: When my travel plans got canceled for the third time, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
37. Shadow of Doubt
Meaning: A strong feeling of uncertainty or fear.
In a Sentence: Even after preparing for weeks, a shadow of doubt still hung over me on test day.
38. Freak Out
Meaning: To lose emotional control suddenly, often from stress.
In a Sentence: When I saw my grades posted online, I freaked out and called my friend in a total panic.
39. Nervous Energy
Meaning: Restless, fidgety behavior caused by anxiety.
In a Sentence: I cleaned the whole kitchen and reorganized my bookshelf—clearly running on nervous energy before the big event.
40. Feel Like a Pressure Cooker
Meaning: To feel emotionally bottled up and ready to explode.
In a Sentence: After days of keeping my feelings in, I felt like a pressure cooker about to burst.
41. Get Cold Feet
Meaning: Becoming anxious or doubtful about a commitment.
In a Sentence: He got cold feet the night before moving abroad, questioning whether he was really ready for such a big change.
42. Tearing Your Hair Out
Meaning: Feeling extreme frustration or anxiety.
In a Sentence: I was tearing my hair out trying to figure out how to make all the deadlines work in one week.
43. Walking Through a Fog
Meaning: Feeling confused and mentally clouded due to anxiety.
In a Sentence: The stress of finals had me walking through a fog—my thoughts slow and my mind barely able to focus.
44. Feel Like You’re Drowning
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities or emotions.
In a Sentence: With bills, school, and family stress piling on, I felt like I was drowning in anxiety.
45. Head Spinning
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed or confused from too much information or stress.
In a Sentence: After trying to make sense of all the paperwork and decisions, my head was spinning from anxiety and mental overload.
46. Under the Gun
Meaning: Being under intense pressure to perform or meet a deadline.
In a Sentence: I was under the gun at work with an impossible deadline and barely any support to get it done.
47. Chicken Out
Meaning: To decide not to do something due to fear or anxiety.
In a Sentence: I was ready to give the speech, but when I saw all those eyes on me, I totally chickened out.
Quizzes About The Idioms in This Article
Quiz 1: On Pins and Needles
What does the idiom “On pins and needles” mean?
a) Sitting on a sharp object
b) Feeling nervous or anxious
c) Being very relaxed
d) Sleeping uncomfortably
Quiz 2: Sweating Bullets
What does “Sweating bullets” describe?
a) Exercising hard
b) Extremely nervous feelings
c) A hot day
d) Being sick
Quiz 3: My Heart Was in My Mouth
What does “My heart was in my mouth” mean?
a) You were shocked or scared
b) You were hungry
c) You felt brave
d) You wanted to talk
Quiz 4: In Over Your Head
What does “In over your head” imply?
a) You’re swimming deep
b) You’re confused about water
c) You’ve taken on more than you can handle
d) You’re relaxing
Quiz 5: Feel Like You’re Drowning
What situation does “Feel like you’re drowning” describe?
a) Swimming without a float
b) Feeling overwhelmed
c) Drinking too much water
d) Enjoying the beach
Quiz 6: Tearing Your Hair Out
What does it mean if someone is “Tearing their hair out”?
a) Getting a haircut
b) Sleeping restlessly
c) Feeling deeply frustrated or anxious
d) Fixing their appearance
Quiz 7: Bite Your Nails
What does the idiom “Bite your nails” suggest about someone’s behavior?
a) They are bored and looking for something to do
b) They are feeling nervous or anxious and can’t help their habit
c) They are trying to clip their nails without tools
d) They are thinking about a big decision but staying calm
Quiz 8: Like a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
When someone is “like a cat on a hot tin roof,” how are they likely acting?
a) Calm, relaxed, and at peace
b) Nervous, jumpy, and unable to sit still
c) Focused and confident in their choices
d) Determined and goal-driven
Quiz 9: Climbing the Walls
What does the idiom “Climbing the walls” describe?
a) Someone redecorating their home
b) A person literally trying to escape
c) Intense restlessness or anxiety, often from being confined or stressed
d) An athlete training for a rock-climbing event
Quiz 10: Heart Skipped a Beat
What is meant by “My heart skipped a beat”?
a) You felt deep sadness or disappointment
b) You experienced a sudden, intense emotional reaction like fear or surprise
c) You were extremely tired and needed rest
d) You had a sudden urge to run or exercise
Full Answer Key (All 10 Quizzes):
- b
- b
- a
- c
- b
- c
- b
- b
- c
- b
Conclusion
Anxiety can make us feel overwhelmed, confused, or just plain off—but idioms give us a creative way to talk about those feelings. From butterflies in your stomach to feeling like you’re drowning, these phrases help put emotions into words we can understand and share.
Next time you’re feeling anxious or want to describe stress more vividly, try using one of these idioms—and maybe even help someone else feel seen and understood.
Let language be your way out of worry.