IdiomDaily Life
Norwegian
NorwegianÅ være på pinebenken
Meaning: To be in anxious suspense.
Literally: To be on the torture bench
Example: “Hele laget satt på pinebenken mens dommeren så på reprisen.” — The whole team was on pins and needles while the referee watched the replay.
English equivalent: To be on pins and needles
Equivalents in other languages
Greek: Τρώω τα νύχια μου Literally: I'm eating my nails
French: Être sur des charbons ardents Literally: To be on hot coals
English: be on pins and needles
Origin: The pinebenk is the torture bench, the rack on which prisoners were stretched. Being on the torture bench is being in an agony of suspense while waiting for a decision. No first use is documented.
More Norwegian idioms
- Å være ute og sykle To be completely mistaken or to have no idea what you're talking about.
- Å ha bein i nesa To be assertive and able to stand your ground.
- Å snakke rett fra leveren To speak frankly, without softening anything.
- Helt texas Utterly wild, chaotic or out of control.
- Å koke bort i kålen To come to nothing; to fizzle out unresolved.
- Å være midt i smørøyet To be in the most fortunate spot imaginable.
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