climbing the walls


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.

climb the walls

To be anxious or annoyed to the point of frenzy. If she makes another foolish blunder like that, I'll be ready to climb the walls. The doctor hasn't called me with the test results yet, so I've been climbing the walls.
See also: climb, wall

climbing the walls

Anxious or annoyed to the point of frenzy. The doctor hasn't called me with the test results yet, so I've been climbing the walls. If she makes another foolish blunder like that, I'll be climbing the walls.
See also: climb, wall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be climbing the walls

If you are climbing the walls, you are feeling very frustrated, bored or anxious. If I was sitting at home with nothing to do, I'd be climbing the walls.
See also: climb, wall
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

be climbing the walls

feel frustrated, helpless, and trapped. informal
See also: climb, wall
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

be climbing the ˈwalls

(informal) be extremely bored, worried, etc: It’s too cold and wet to play outside, and the kids are climbing the walls with frustration.
See also: climb, wall
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive ?
'But his decency and moral framework are challenged as the series progresses.' Alison is climbing the walls with boredom.
PASSIONS RISE FOR UNDER-FIRE BRITS; THE LAST POST IS A STEAMY TALE OF LUST AND REBELLION AS BRITSH FORCES IN ADEN COME UNDER ATTACK BY INSURGENTS
The lucky punter said: "I kept saying over and over again, 'This can't be true.' "I didn't sleep for two nights and my wife was climbing the walls as we waited over the Bank Holiday to see the money in our account.
PS1 punter wins PS1.6m and retires
To stop the children creating havoc and climbing the walls at home, take them along to a local climbing wall, to improve fitness and flexibility while having fun at the same time.
Kids are climbing up the walls
AN ADVENTURE day in Liverpool today was bringing new meaning to the phrase climbing the walls.
Climbers up the wall in city church
By the time the Monday comes round, everyone is climbing the walls and up for an extra big night out.
A TECHNO EASTER TREAT; The Beautiful North
Louise Brown was climbing the walls trying to get snagging fixed at her new house.
I stop Louise cracking up over new home snags; TheJudge I'LL GET IT SORTED
The rookie full-back admits he was climbing the walls last Monday as he stayed home to hear from boss Andy Robinson.
WAIT OFF MIND
Jayne Miller was climbing the walls when the letting agency she rents her flat from went into liquidation.
Firm Lets Jayne get cash back
CRISTIANO RONALDO says Wayne Rooney's two-match suspension will have his old team-mate climbing the walls in frustration.
ROO CLIMBS HIGH
DONALD MacQuarrie's children were climbing the walls after waiting nearly a year to have a cartoons channel installed at their house.
Kids wait a year for telly deal; The Judge
After seeing him at Belsonic, you'll be climbing the walls in anticipation of his debut album, set for release later this year.
A bright light Sabre; MONDAY 22 bY NATHAN HANNA
He said: "I am obsessed and if I can't go to a theme park every weekend I find myself climbing the walls."
My 25,000 scare miles
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?