a tingly, prickly sensation in a limb that is recovering from numbness.
Idioms
2.
on pins and needles, in a state of nervous anticipation:
The father-to-be was on pins and needles.
Origin
1800-10
British Dictionary definitions for on pins and needles
pins and needles
noun (functioning as sing) (informal)
1.
a tingling sensation in the fingers, toes, legs, etc, caused by the return of normal blood circulation after its temporary impairment
2.
on pins and needles, in a state of anxious suspense or nervous anticipation
on pins and needles in Culture
on pins and needles definition
In a state of anxiety or tense expectation: “Jackie was on pins and needles waiting to hear about her job application.”
Idioms and Phrases with on pins and needles
on pins and needles
Nervously anxious, as in He was on pins and needles, waiting for the test results. The graphic expression pins and needles for the tingling sensation experienced in recovering from numbness was transferred to a feeling of marked mental uneasiness about 1800.