Olla pinna kireällä

Meaning: To be on edge and short-tempered.

Language: Finnish

Literally: To have the surface tight

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: A nerve stretched taut to its limit pictures someone ready to snap at the slightest thing.

More idioms — Body & Senses

• Dělat dlouhý nos — To thumb your nose; to mock.
• Felkopik az álla — To go hungry and be left with nothing.
• آنکھوں کا تارا — A dearly cherished person; the apple of one's eye.
• ناک کا بال — Someone's closest, most trusted confidant.
• Facer das tripas corazón — To summon courage in the face of adversity.
• Ça m'en touche une sans faire bouger l'autre — I couldn't care less; it leaves me utterly indifferent.

More Finnish idioms

• Lyödä rahoiksi — To cash in; to profit handsomely.
• Ei ole kaikki muumit laaksossa — Someone isn't quite all there.
• Maksaa maltaita — To cost a fortune.
• Heittää lusikka nurkkaan — To die.
• Olla pipo kireällä — To be uptight, grumpy or in a foul mood.
• Päästä kuin koira veräjästä — To escape consequences entirely; to get off scot-free.

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