on pins and needles

on pins and needles

adjective. nervously anxious

"Lamar Odom's health is recovering.  His family and friends have been on pins and needles for days."

"The high school junior was on pins and needles, waiting for her SAT test results."

"Iowa egg and poultry producers are preparing for a possible return of avian influenza this fall as migrating wild waterfowl are again flying over. The whole industry is on pins and needles.”