pins and needles

noun

1. a tingly, prickly sensation in a limb that is recovering from numbness.

pins and needles

noun

1. a tingling sensation in the fingers, toes, legs, etc, caused by the return of normal blood circulation after its temporary impairment
2. on pins and needles
   in a state of anxious suspense or nervous anticipation

Word History and Origins

Origin of pins and needles¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on pins and needles, in a state of nervous anticipation:

   The father-to-be was on pins and needles.

Example Sentences

Writing in his column in The Sunday Times, the 64-year-old said he had symptoms of feeling "clammy", a "tightness" in his chest, and "pins and needles" in his left arm after returning from a holiday.

From BBC

John Kelly was driving to Dublin for work when he felt a tightness in his chest and pins and needles in his arm.

From BBC

The region is now on pins and needles awaiting reprisals from Iran, Hezbollah and perhaps other Iranian proxy groups, risking escalation and wider war.

From Los Angeles Times

And all the pins and needles worked into the carpet.

From Literature

Emma Stone, from Lower Earley, Berkshire, went from having pins and needles in her hands to often needing a wheelchair to leave her home.

From BBC