nervous

(as) nervous as a cat

Extremely anxious, apprehensive, or uneasy. I felt nervous as a cat as I waited for them to announce the winner. Carrie's been as nervous as a cat waiting for the doctor to call with the test results. Janine was nervous as a cat about her driving test today. I hope she passes and gets her license.

See also: cat, nervous

(as) nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs

Extremely nervous. (The cat's long tail would be in danger of getting caught under a swaying rocking chair.) I was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs as I waited for them to announce the winner. Carrie's been as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs waiting for the doctor to call with the test results. Janine was nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs about her driving test today. I hope she passes and gets her license.

See also: cat, chair, full, nervous, of, rocking, room

be (as) nervous as a cat

To be extremely anxious, apprehensive, or uneasy. I was nervous as a cat as I waited for them to announce the winner. Carrie's been as nervous as a cat waiting for the doctor to call with the test results. Janine was nervous as a cat about her driving test today. I hope she passes and gets her license.

See also: cat, nervous

be frightened of (one's) (own) shadow

To be easily or constantly spooked, nervous, timid, afraid, or fearfully suspicious. I can't say I have much faith in Johnny helping us on this expedition—that boy's frightened of his own shadow! You can't live life being frightened of your shadow—you need to get out into the world and taste adventure! The basement really isn't scary. You can't listen to what Cara says, she's frightened of her own shadow.

See also: frighten, of, shadow

be nervous of (one's) (own) shadow

To be easily or constantly spooked, nervous, timid, afraid, or fearfully suspicious. I can't say I have much faith in Johnny helping us on this expedition—that boy's nervous of his own shadow! You can't live life being nervous of your shadow—you need to get out into the world and taste adventure! The basement really isn't scary. You can't listen to what Cara says, she's nervous of her own shadow.

See also: nervous, of, shadow

be scared of (one's) (own) shadow

To be easily or constantly spooked, nervous, timid, afraid, or fearfully suspicious. I can't say I have much faith in Johnny helping us on this expedition—that boy's scared of his own shadow! You can't live life being scared of your shadow—you need to get out into the world and taste adventure! The basement really isn't scary. You can't listen to what Cara says, she's scared of her own shadow.

See also: of, scare, shadow

nervous hit

A production for which success is not guaranteed, despite positive reviews or acclaim. If our show is a nervous hit, who knows how long it will last on Broadway. The film has had rave reviews, but most analysts expect it to be a nervous hit, as it is a genre not usually known to bring in large number of moviegoers.

See also: hit, nervous

Nervous Nellie

Someone who is more timid, nervous, or anxious than is normal or reasonable. My mother's always a bit of a Nervous Nellie around the grandkids, so she doesn't like to look after them. I'm too much of a Nervous Nellie to ever do something like sky diving.

See also: Nellie, nervous

nervous wreck

Someone who is overcome with anxiety, apprehension, or nervousness. Where have you been all night? I've been a nervous wreck waiting for you to come home! I'm going to be a nervous wreck waiting to hear back from the doctor about the test results.

See also: nervous, wreck

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

nervous Nellie

An unduly timid or anxious person, as in He's a real nervous Nellie, calling the doctor about every little symptom. This term does not allude to a particular person named Nellie; rather, the name was probably chosen for the sake of alliteration. [Colloquial; c. 1920]

See also: Nellie, nervous

nervous wreck

An individual suffering from extreme agitation or worry, as in Pat was a nervous wreck until her mother arrived at the wedding. This expression is nearly always used hyperbolically. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see basket case.

See also: nervous, wreck

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

be frightened/nervous/scared of your own ˈshadow

be very easily frightened; be very nervous: Since the attack he’s been a changed man. He’s nervous of his own shadow and doesn’t like to go out alone at night.

See also: frighten, nervous, of, own, scare, shadow

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

nervous Nellie

n. any nervous person, male or female. Sue is such a nervous Nellie. She should calm down.

See also: Nellie, nervous

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

nervous Nellie

A person who worries unduly or is foolishly fearful. The term apparently originated in the late 1920s and referred to Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg, who served from 1925 to 1929. It soon was picked up and used for any individual, male or female, who showed such qualities. Richard Dyer used it in a review of Acis and Galatea, writing: “The direction presented him [Acis] as a kind of nervous Nellie, unable to decide which shirt to wear to impress Galatea” (Boston Globe, Nov. 23, 2004). See also worry wart.

See also: Nellie, nervous

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer