38 Idioms for Anxiety

Idioms for anxiety can transform the way you express your feelings and experiences. If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed by stress, you know how important it is to articulate those emotions. These colorful expressions not only capture the essence of anxiety but also connect you with others who share similar struggles.

Imagine having a richer vocabulary to describe your worries and fears! In this article, you’ll discover a variety of idioms that resonate with your experiences, helping you to feel understood and less alone. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore these powerful phrases together!

Idioms for anxiety

1. Walking on eggshells

Meaning: This idiom describes a situation where one must be very cautious to avoid upsetting someone.
In a Sentence: Since her promotion, I’ve been walking on eggshells around her, not wanting to trigger any stress.
Other Ways to Say: Treading lightly, tiptoeing around.

2. A bundle of nerves

Meaning: Refers to someone who is extremely anxious or nervous.
In a Sentence: She was a bundle of nerves before her big presentation.
Other Ways to Say: Jittery, on edge.

3. Sweating bullets

Meaning: This phrase indicates a person is very anxious or fearful.
In a Sentence: He was sweating bullets during the job interview.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling anxious, experiencing panic.

4. In over one’s head

Meaning: This idiom conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by a situation.
In a Sentence: After taking on too many projects, I realized I was in over my head.
Other Ways to Say: Out of depth, overwhelmed.

5. The weight of the world on one’s shoulders

Meaning: Describes feeling a heavy burden of responsibility or worry.
In a Sentence: With all his family issues, he feels like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling burdened, carrying a heavy load.

6. Heart in one’s throat

Meaning: This expression describes the sensation of extreme anxiety or fear.
In a Sentence: When I heard the loud crash, my heart was in my throat.
Other Ways to Say: Heart racing, feeling terrified.

7. On pins and needles

Meaning: Indicates a state of anxiety and anticipation.
In a Sentence: I was on pins and needles waiting for the exam results.
Other Ways to Say: Anxiously awaiting, feeling jittery.

8. Biting one’s nails

Meaning: This phrase represents nervousness or anxiety, often leading to fidgeting.
In a Sentence: He was biting his nails during the entire movie.
Other Ways to Say: Fidgeting, restless.

9. A nervous wreck

Meaning: Describes someone who is extremely anxious and unable to function normally.
In a Sentence: She became a nervous wreck before her wedding day.
Other Ways to Say: Highly anxious, frazzled.

10. Losing sleep over

Meaning: Refers to worrying excessively about something, often to the point of losing sleep.
In a Sentence: I’ve been losing sleep over that upcoming deadline.
Other Ways to Say: Worrying excessively, troubled by.

11. Pulling one’s hair out

Meaning: Indicates frustration and anxiety over a situation.
In a Sentence: I was pulling my hair out trying to solve the problem.
Other Ways to Say: Frustrated, exasperated.

12. Feeling the heat

Meaning: This idiom conveys the pressure or stress associated with a challenging situation.
In a Sentence: He’s really feeling the heat with all his upcoming deadlines.
Other Ways to Say: Under pressure, feeling stressed.

13. A deer in headlights

Meaning: Describes someone who is so surprised or shocked that they are unable to react.
In a Sentence: When asked about her plans, she looked like a deer in headlights.
Other Ways to Say: Stunned, frozen in fear.

14. Head in the clouds

Meaning: Refers to someone who is distracted or not paying attention due to anxiety.
In a Sentence: During the meeting, I had my head in the clouds thinking about my problems.
Other Ways to Say: Distracted, lost in thought.

15. Cold feet

Meaning: This expression describes sudden nervousness or doubt, especially before a big decision.
In a Sentence: He got cold feet just before the wedding.
Other Ways to Say: Doubts creeping in, second thoughts.

16. A ticking time bomb

Meaning: Refers to someone who is on the verge of an emotional outburst due to stress.
In a Sentence: After a week of stress, she felt like a ticking time bomb.
Other Ways to Say: About to explode, on the brink.

17. Out of sorts

Meaning: Describes a feeling of unease or discomfort, often linked to anxiety.
In a Sentence: I’ve been feeling out of sorts since that incident.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling off, unwell.

18. Crying over spilled milk

Meaning: This idiom suggests that worrying about something that has already happened is pointless.
In a Sentence: Let’s not cry over spilled milk; we need to focus on the solution.
Other Ways to Say: Wasting energy, lamenting the past.

19. Like a cat on a hot tin roof

Meaning: Describes someone who is extremely nervous or restless.
In a Sentence: He was like a cat on a hot tin roof before the exam.
Other Ways to Say: Fidgety, anxious.

20. Burning the candle at both ends

Meaning: Refers to someone who is exhausting themselves by working too hard or worrying too much.
In a Sentence: She’s burning the candle at both ends with her job and family commitments.
Other Ways to Say: Overworking, exhausting oneself.

21. Under the weather

Meaning: This idiom indicates feeling unwell, often due to stress or anxiety.
In a Sentence: I’ve been feeling under the weather lately because of all the stress.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling low, unwell.

22. The jitters

Meaning: Refers to a feeling of nervousness or anxiety, especially before an event.
In a Sentence: I always get the jitters before a big performance.
Other Ways to Say: Nervousness, anxious feeling.

23. In a tizzy

Meaning: Describes a state of confusion or agitation.
In a Sentence: She was in a tizzy over the unexpected news.
Other Ways to Say: Flustered, agitated.

24. Holding one’s breath

Meaning: Indicates waiting anxiously for something to happen.
In a Sentence: I was holding my breath while waiting for the final score.
Other Ways to Say: Anxiously awaiting, waiting nervously.

25. A knot in one’s stomach

Meaning: Describes a physical sensation of anxiety or fear.
In a Sentence: Before the speech, I felt a knot in my stomach.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling uneasy, anxious feeling.

26. Dreading something

Meaning: Refers to anticipating something with fear or anxiety.
In a Sentence: I’m dreading the dentist appointment next week.
Other Ways to Say: Fearful of, anxious about.

27. At the end of one’s rope

Meaning: Indicates feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope.
In a Sentence: After weeks of stress, I felt at the end of my rope.
Other Ways to Say: At one’s limit, exhausted.

28. A heavy heart

Meaning: Describes a feeling of sadness or anxiety about something.
In a Sentence: She left the meeting with a heavy heart after hearing the news.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling sad, burdened.

29. A storm brewing

Meaning: Refers to an impending crisis or emotional upheaval.
In a Sentence: I could sense a storm brewing as tensions rose in the office.
Other Ways to Say: Trouble ahead, conflict looming.

30. A sinking feeling

Meaning: This idiom reflects a sense of dread or anxiety about something negative.
In a Sentence: I had a sinking feeling when I saw the missed calls from my boss.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling apprehensive, foreboding.

31. Bite the bullet

Meaning: Refers to facing a painful or difficult situation with courage.
In a Sentence: I’ve decided to bite the bullet and confront my fears.
Other Ways to Say: Face the music, take the plunge.

32. A rollercoaster of emotions

Meaning: Describes experiencing intense and fluctuating feelings.
In a Sentence: This week has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional ups and downs, tumultuous feelings.

33. A ray of hope

Meaning: Indicates a small sign of positivity amidst anxiety.
In a Sentence: Despite the difficulties, she found a ray of hope in the support from friends.
Other Ways to Say: Glimmer of hope, light at the end of the tunnel.

34. On the edge

Meaning: Suggests being in a state of high anxiety or excitement.
In a Sentence: I’m on the edge about the upcoming results.
Other Ways to Say: On edge, anxious.

35. A silver lining

Meaning: Refers to a positive aspect of a negative situation.
In a Sentence: There’s always a silver lining; I learned a lot from my mistakes.
Other Ways to Say: Positive side, hope in despair.

36. In a pickle

Meaning: Describes being in a difficult or challenging situation.
In a Sentence: I found myself in a pickle trying to balance work and family.
Other Ways to Say: In trouble, in a bind.

37. Treading water

Meaning: Indicates struggling to stay afloat in a difficult situation.
In a Sentence: I feel like I’m just treading water with all my responsibilities.
Other Ways to Say: Staying afloat, managing.

38. Face the music

Meaning: Refers to confronting the consequences of one’s actions.
In a Sentence: It’s time to face the music and deal with my mistakes.
Other Ways to Say: Accept the consequences, confront reality.

Quiz Idioms for Anxiety

1. What does “walking on eggshells” mean?

A) Being overly cautious
B) Feeling very confident
C) Ignoring problems
Answer: A) Being overly cautious

2. If someone is “sweating bullets,” they are:

A) Feeling relaxed
B) Extremely anxious
C) Feeling cold
Answer: B) Extremely anxious

3. “Cold feet” refers to:

A) A feeling of warmth
B) Sudden nervousness
C) Being sick
Answer: B) Sudden nervousness

4. A “nervous wreck” is someone who is:

A) Calm and collected
B) Extremely anxious
C) Very happy
Answer: B) Extremely anxious

5. If someone is “in over their head,” they are:

A) Very knowledgeable
B) Overwhelmed by a situation
C) Enjoying their tasks
Answer: B) Overwhelmed by a situation

Conclusion

Idioms for anxiety offer insightful ways to express feelings of stress and unease. They provide a shared language that captures the complexities of emotional experiences. By understanding these idioms, we can better articulate our struggles and connect with others facing similar challenges. Language not only reflects our inner turmoil but also serves as a bridge to empathy and understanding.

Carla Jones

Carla Jones is an expert blogger in English Language Teaching, sharing innovative strategies and insights to empower educators and enhance language learning experiences for students worldwide.