Definition
如坐针毡 (rú zuò zhēn zhān) is a four-character idiom that literally means 'like sitting on a bed of needles.' It describes a state of extreme anxiety, unease, or restlessness — the feeling of being unable to relax because of worry or fear. Use it in formal or literary contexts to convey that someone is very uncomfortable or on edge.
f.e.
on pins and needlesextremely uneasy or anxious
Examples
- ，如坐针毡，。Tā tīng dào zhège xiāoxi hòu, rú zuò zhēn zhān, zuò lì bù ān.After hearing this news, he was on pins and needles and couldn't sit still.
- ，如坐针毡，。Děngdài miànshì jiéguǒ de nà jǐ tiān, tā rú zuò zhēn zhān, chī bù xià yě shuì bù zháo.During the days waiting for the interview results, she was on pins and needles, unable to eat or sleep.
- ，，如坐针毡。Huìyì shàng, lǎobǎn fǎnfù zhuīwèn nàge wèntí, ràng suǒyǒu yuángōng rú zuò zhēn zhān.At the meeting, the boss repeatedly pressed that question, putting all the employees on pins and needles.
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