Idioms are fun and colorful phrases that make our language more interesting. They don’t always mean exactly what the words say, but they help us express feelings and ideas in creative ways. For teens, learning idioms can be a great way to improve communication and understand conversations better. These expressions are used in daily life, making them both useful and enjoyable to learn.
Feeling nervous is a common emotion that shows up in many situations, like giving a presentation in front of classmates, waiting for test scores to be posted, or preparing to speak to someone you admire, and learning how to talk about these moments using idioms can make communication smoother, richer, and even a little more fun. Nervousness can come in many forms—from shaky hands to racing thoughts—and that’s exactly why idioms are so useful, because they capture those big feelings in a few creative words. In this article, we’ll explore popular idioms related to feeling nervous, break down what they mean, and show you how they can be used in everyday conversations to better express your emotions. At the end, you’ll even find a short exercise to help you practice and remember them, so let’s jump right in and explore the world of nervous idioms together!
Idioms for Nervous
1. Butterflies in your stomach
Meaning: Feeling very nervous, especially before something important or unfamiliar.
In a Sentence: Right before I walked onto the stage to deliver my speech in front of hundreds of people, I had butterflies in my stomach and couldn’t tell if it was excitement or complete panic fluttering inside me.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling anxious, Nervous excitement
2. On pins and needles
Meaning: Feeling extremely anxious or full of tension while waiting for something to happen.
In a Sentence: I was sitting on the couch on pins and needles, staring at my phone and waiting for the college admissions email to arrive, imagining every possible outcome in my head.
Other Ways to Say: Anxiously waiting, Full of suspense
3. Shaking like a leaf
Meaning: Trembling uncontrollably due to extreme nervousness or fear.
In a Sentence: As soon as the teacher announced that I would be the first to present, I stood up and realized I was shaking like a leaf, wishing I could just disappear instead of facing the entire class.
Other Ways to Say: Trembling, Shivering with nerves
4. Get cold feet
Meaning: To suddenly become too nervous or scared to go through with something you planned.
In a Sentence: I was fully dressed and ready to perform at the talent show, but as soon as I heard the loud crowd cheering, I got cold feet and seriously considered sneaking out the back door.
Other Ways to Say: Have second thoughts, Back out
5. Break into a cold sweat
Meaning: To begin sweating due to fear, anxiety, or overwhelming nervousness.
In a Sentence: When I realized I had accidentally submitted the wrong assignment file before the deadline, I broke into a cold sweat and my heart started racing as I scrambled to fix it.
Other Ways to Say: Sweat from anxiety, Panic response
6. A bundle of nerves
Meaning: A person who is extremely nervous or anxious.
In a Sentence: Before my driving test, I was a complete bundle of nerves, fidgeting in my seat and mentally reviewing every traffic rule I had ever learned.
Other Ways to Say: Super anxious, Full of worry
7. Have your heart in your mouth
Meaning: Feeling extremely nervous or scared, often because of sudden fear.
In a Sentence: I had my heart in my mouth when the principal called my name over the loudspeaker, thinking I might be in trouble for something I didn’t even remember doing.
Other Ways to Say: Panic rising, Heart racing
8. Jumpy as a cat
Meaning: Startled or nervous at every little thing.
In a Sentence: After watching that scary movie, I was as jumpy as a cat, flinching every time the floor creaked or my phone buzzed unexpectedly.
Other Ways to Say: Easily startled, Nervous and jumpy
9. Sweat bullets
Meaning: To sweat a lot due to intense stress or nervousness.
In a Sentence: I was sweating bullets while waiting to be called into the interview room, imagining every tough question they could possibly ask me.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely anxious, Very nervous
10. Have ants in your pants
Meaning: To be unable to sit still due to nervous energy or excitement.
In a Sentence: He had ants in his pants while waiting for the rollercoaster to start, tapping his foot and gripping the safety bar like his life depended on it.
Other Ways to Say: Restless, Full of nervous energy
11. Have a lump in your throat
Meaning: Feeling emotional or nervous to the point where it’s hard to speak.
In a Sentence: I had a lump in my throat during my graduation speech, trying hard to hold back tears and focus on the words I had practiced a hundred times.
Other Ways to Say: Choked up, About to cry
12. Nervous wreck
Meaning: A person who is extremely nervous and emotionally unsettled.
In a Sentence: I turned into a nervous wreck before my final exams, double-checking every note and rereading every textbook chapter in a complete panic.
Other Ways to Say: Completely anxious, Falling apart
13. Freak out
Meaning: To panic or lose control due to extreme fear or nervousness.
In a Sentence: I started to freak out when I realized I left my science project at home and there were only ten minutes left before school started.
Other Ways to Say: Panic, Lose control
14. Pace back and forth
Meaning: To walk around nervously while thinking or waiting.
In a Sentence: My brother kept pacing back and forth outside the dentist’s office, clearly too anxious to sit still before his tooth extraction.
Other Ways to Say: Walk nervously, Move restlessly
15. Bite your nails
Meaning: To nervously chew on your fingernails when feeling anxious or unsure.
In a Sentence: I was biting my nails nonstop while waiting for my audition number to be called, unable to stop imagining what could go wrong.
Other Ways to Say: Show anxiety, Nervous habit
16. Lose your nerve
Meaning: To suddenly become too afraid or anxious to do something you had planned.
In a Sentence: I wanted to confess my feelings to my crush, but when I finally had the chance, I completely lost my nerve and just smiled awkwardly instead.
Other Ways to Say: Chicken out, Back down
17. Heart skips a beat
Meaning: A sudden feeling of nervousness, shock, or excitement.
In a Sentence: My heart skipped a beat when I opened the email and saw the subject line that said “Congratulations!” because I wasn’t expecting good news at all.
Other Ways to Say: Shocked, Stunned
18. A deer in headlights
Meaning: Someone who is so nervous or surprised that they freeze and don’t know what to do.
In a Sentence: When the teacher suddenly called on me to answer a question, I just stood there like a deer in headlights, completely frozen and speechless.
Other Ways to Say: Frozen in fear, Too shocked to move
19. Tied up in knots
Meaning: Feeling very anxious, tense, or worried.
In a Sentence: I was tied up in knots before my piano recital, my stomach churning and my fingers shaking as I tried to stay calm backstage.
Other Ways to Say: Super tense, Worried sick
20. Feel your stomach turn
Meaning: To feel sick or uneasy because of nervousness or fear.
In a Sentence: My stomach turned when I realized I had forgotten to save my final essay and the deadline was in less than an hour.
Other Ways to Say: Feel sick, Gut-wrenching feeling
21. Feel like you’re under a microscope
Meaning: Feeling anxious because you believe every move is being closely watched.
In a Sentence: During my first day at the new job, I felt like I was under a microscope, with every action observed and silently judged by my coworkers.
Other Ways to Say: Closely watched, Scrutinized
22. Get the jitters
Meaning: To feel shaky and nervous, usually before something important.
In a Sentence: I always get the jitters before a big exam, even if I’ve studied for hours and know I’m ready.
Other Ways to Say: Pre-show nerves, Tense feelings
23. Be on edge
Meaning: To be irritable or extremely nervous.
In a Sentence: I was completely on edge the entire morning waiting for the call about my scholarship results.
Other Ways to Say: Tense, High-strung
24. Feel out of sorts
Meaning: To feel unwell or emotionally unsettled.
In a Sentence: I was feeling out of sorts before my presentation, not sick exactly, but definitely not calm or focused either.
Other Ways to Say: Off balance, Not yourself
25. Jump out of your skin
Meaning: To react with shock or fear suddenly.
In a Sentence: I nearly jumped out of my skin when the teacher clapped her hands behind me to get my attention.
Other Ways to Say: Startled badly, Freaked out
26. Be a nervous Nellie
Meaning: Someone who worries a lot or gets anxious easily.
In a Sentence: I turned into a nervous Nellie the night before my science fair, constantly checking my display and pacing in circles.
Other Ways to Say: Over-worrier, Extremely anxious person
27. Feel like a fish out of water
Meaning: Feeling uncomfortable or nervous in a new or unfamiliar situation.
In a Sentence: I felt like a fish out of water during the debate club meeting because everyone else already knew each other and the rules.
Other Ways to Say: Out of place, Awkward
28. Tense up
Meaning: To become physically tight or rigid due to nerves.
In a Sentence: I tensed up the moment I walked into the competition room, suddenly forgetting everything I had rehearsed.
Other Ways to Say: Freeze up, Go stiff
29. Breathe heavily
Meaning: To take quick or deep breaths due to anxiety.
In a Sentence: I found myself breathing heavily just minutes before my piano performance, trying to calm down and focus.
Other Ways to Say: Panic breathing, Short of breath
30. Walk on eggshells
Meaning: To act very carefully to avoid upsetting someone or making a mistake.
In a Sentence: I was walking on eggshells during the meeting, afraid that even one wrong word could lead to a heated argument.
Other Ways to Say: Tread carefully, Be extra cautious
31. Break your voice
Meaning: To have your voice crack or fail due to anxiety or nervousness.
In a Sentence: My voice broke in the middle of my speech because I was so nervous that I forgot to breathe properly.
Other Ways to Say: Voice falters, Nervous speaking
32. Can’t sit still
Meaning: Being so nervous or restless that it’s hard to stay in one place.
In a Sentence: I couldn’t sit still while waiting for the results of the art contest—I kept standing up and walking around the room.
Other Ways to Say: Fidgety, Restless
33. Mind racing
Meaning: Having so many anxious thoughts that you can’t focus or relax.
In a Sentence: My mind was racing the night before the interview, thinking of every possible question they might ask me.
Other Ways to Say: Overthinking, Can’t focus
34. Break down
Meaning: To lose emotional control due to stress or nerves.
In a Sentence: I broke down in the bathroom before the audition because I was overwhelmed with fear that I’d mess up on stage.
Other Ways to Say: Fall apart, Cry under pressure
35. Feel your pulse racing
Meaning: To feel your heart beating very fast due to nerves or fear.
In a Sentence: I could feel my pulse racing as I walked toward the front of the class to present my project.
Other Ways to Say: Fast heartbeat, High anxiety
36. Turn white as a sheet
Meaning: To become very pale from fear or nervous shock.
In a Sentence: When I saw the test paper full of questions I didn’t study for, I turned white as a sheet.
Other Ways to Say: Pale with fear, Shocked stiff
37. Freeze up
Meaning: To become unable to act or speak because of nervousness.
In a Sentence: I completely froze up when it was my turn to answer, and I couldn’t even remember my own name for a second.
Other Ways to Say: Blank out, Stuck in fear
38. Need to catch your breath
Meaning: Struggling to breathe due to anxiety or shock.
In a Sentence: I needed a moment to catch my breath after I finished my fast-paced dance routine and realized everyone was watching me.
Other Ways to Say: Gasping, Need a pause
39. Feel the pressure
Meaning: To experience stress or anxiety from expectations.
In a Sentence: I really felt the pressure during finals week, trying to keep up with assignments while preparing for multiple tests.
Other Ways to Say: High stress, Expectation anxiety
40. Lose your cool
Meaning: To stop being calm due to nerves or frustration.
In a Sentence: I tried to stay calm, but when the microphone stopped working during my solo, I lost my cool and panicked.
Other Ways to Say: Panic, Become agitated
41. Feel exposed
Meaning: To feel vulnerable and uncomfortable, as if everyone is watching.
In a Sentence: I felt completely exposed while reading my poem aloud, like all eyes were judging every word.
Other Ways to Say: Vulnerable, Bare
42. Be on tenterhooks
Meaning: To be in a state of anxious suspense.
In a Sentence: I was on tenterhooks waiting to hear whether my essay had made it to the finals in the national contest.
Other Ways to Say: Eagerly nervous, Very tense
43. Second-guess yourself
Meaning: To doubt your decisions due to nervousness.
In a Sentence: I kept second-guessing myself during the test, even though I knew most of the answers were probably right.
Other Ways to Say: Doubt yourself, Question your choices
44. Nerves of jelly
Meaning: A humorous way to describe being very anxious or emotionally shaky.
In a Sentence: I had nerves of jelly as I waited to be called on stage, barely able to hold my cue cards without shaking.
Other Ways to Say: Wobbly, Emotionally weak
45. Not in your right mind
Meaning: Feeling so nervous or stressed that you can’t think clearly.
In a Sentence: I was so worried about the test that I wasn’t in my right mind and forgot my own locker combination.
Other Ways to Say: Distracted, Unfocused
46. Feel like the walls are closing in
Meaning: Feeling trapped or suffocated due to anxiety.
In a Sentence: The classroom felt so tight and silent that I started to feel like the walls were closing in on me.
Other Ways to Say: Claustrophobic, Overwhelmed
47. Get the shakes
Meaning: To tremble due to nervousness.
In a Sentence: I got the shakes just before stepping onto the stage, and I had to grip my script so it wouldn’t slip from my hands.
Other Ways to Say: Tremble, Shake nervously
48. Break character
Meaning: To show nerves or emotion unexpectedly, especially when trying to stay composed.
In a Sentence: I was trying to stay calm during the group discussion, but I broke character and blurted out everything I was feeling.
Other Ways to Say: Lose composure, Slip emotionally
49. Be a bag of nerves
Meaning: A person who is extremely anxious or agitated.
In a Sentence: I was a bag of nerves the morning of my first driving test, checking my mirror adjustments at least ten times.
Other Ways to Say: Very nervous, High anxiety
50. Swallow hard
Meaning: To make an effort to stay calm in a stressful moment.
In a Sentence: I swallowed hard when my name was called as the last finalist, trying to steady my nerves before walking onstage.
Other Ways to Say: Hold back fear, Stay composed
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks using idioms from the list above:
- I was _________ before my speech, unable to stop fidgeting and tapping my foot.
- When the teacher surprised me with a pop quiz, I looked like a __________.
- My sister was a complete __________ while waiting to hear back from the job interview.
- As I waited for my turn to present, my hands were trembling and I was __________.
- After seeing the final exam questions, I started to __________ and couldn’t focus.
- I kept __________ in the hallway, worried I had studied the wrong material.
- My friend had __________ when he realized he had to sing in front of the whole school.
- The moment the rollercoaster dropped, my __________ and I screamed out loud.
- I tried to calm down, but I felt __________ with all the stress from the big event.
- I knew I had __________ when I backed out of giving the welcome speech at the last minute.
Answers:
ants in my pants, deer in headlights, nervous wreck, shaking like a leaf, freak out, pacing back and forth, cold feet, heart skipped a beat, tied up in knots, lost my nerve
Conclusion
Feeling nervous is something we all go through—whether it’s speaking in public, waiting for results, or facing new experiences—and using idioms can help us describe those emotions in a way that’s more creative, expressive, and relatable. These phrases aren’t just fun; they add personality to our language and make it easier to connect with others who feel the same way. By learning and practicing these idioms, you’ll be able to talk about your feelings with confidence, clarity, and maybe even a little humor. So the next time your stomach flips or your hands start to tremble, remember—you’ve got a whole bundle of idioms to help you say exactly how you feel.