How do you say “On pins and needles” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is être sur des charbons ardents, which literally means “to be on burning coals”. English speakers use on pins and needles to mean nervous or excited while waiting for something uncertain. More vivid than simply saying you are waiting anxiously. Register: neutral. Usage frequency: common.
Closest natural French
être sur des charbons ardents
/ɛtʁ syʁ de ʃaʁbɔ̃ aʁdɑ̃/
- Literal meaning
- “to be on burning coals”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
96 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
French uses burning coals for the same inability to settle down. It works when an answer is overdue or something important is about to happen.
“Attendre avec impatience” is less vivid and can sound pleasantly eager. Keep the coals when you want the nervous discomfort too.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity3 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
In context
English
We were on pins and needles until the school announced the results.
French
Nous étions sur des charbons ardents jusqu'à l'annonce des résultats par l'école.
English
I'm on pins and needles waiting for her call.
French
Je suis sur des charbons ardents en attendant son appel.
Related expressions
- What “On pins and needles” means in English
- Get cold feet, To become nervous and back out.
Last updated 2026-09-19