on pins and needles

US /ɑn pɪnz ænd ˈniːdlz/
UK /ɑn pɪnz ænd ˈniːdlz/
"on pins and needles" picture
1.

op hete kolen zitten, gespannen zijn

in a state of anxious expectation; nervously awaiting something

:
I've been on pins and needles all day waiting for the test results.
Ik heb de hele dag op hete kolen gezeten in afwachting van de testresultaten.
Everyone was on pins and needles as they watched the final penalty kick.
Iedereen zat op hete kolen terwijl ze de laatste strafschop bekeken.