on pins and needles
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scientists, engineers and the flight team were “waiting on pins and needles to hear back from Voyager 2, to see if the command was successful,” Dr. Spilker said.
From New York Times • Aug. 4, 2023
“So, everyone is kinda sitting on pins and needles, hoping no one comes in at the last second.”
From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023
"We're on pins and needles to see if Powell will say anything that suggests they will taper the size of rate increases going forward," Hogan said, referring to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
From Reuters • Oct. 31, 2022
I’m taking his column to my 99-year-old neighbor who’s been on pins and needles for 14 months.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2021
I walked on pins and needles every day, waiting for him to take his revenge.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
![]()