A1 Idiom ニュートラル

Kaip ant adatų

On pins and needles

意味

Being very nervous or anxious.

🌍

文化的背景

In Lithuania, basketball is a major source of national anxiety. During the EuroBasket or Olympics, you will see this phrase in almost every news headline. The idiom reflects Lithuania's history as an agrarian society where sewing was a vital skill. Needles were precious but dangerous if lost in the straw of a bed or chair. In modern Lithuanian startup culture, 'kaip ant adatų' is often used during 'pitch' sessions or when waiting for funding news. If a Lithuanian tells you they are 'kaip ant adatų,' it is a polite way to say they might be distracted or need to leave soon to check on something.

💡

Use with 'Sėdėti'

While you can say 'būti' (to be), using 'sėdėti' (to sit) makes you sound much more like a native speaker.

⚠️

Case Sensitivity

Make sure to use 'adatų' (Genitive). Using 'adatos' (Nominative) is a very common beginner mistake.

意味

Being very nervous or anxious.

💡

Use with 'Sėdėti'

While you can say 'būti' (to be), using 'sėdėti' (to sit) makes you sound much more like a native speaker.

⚠️

Case Sensitivity

Make sure to use 'adatų' (Genitive). Using 'adatos' (Nominative) is a very common beginner mistake.

🎯

Add 'Visą laiką'

To sound more dramatic, add 'visą laiką' (all the time). E.g., 'Aš visą laiką sėdžiu kaip ant adatų!'

💬

Basketball Context

Use this during a basketball game to instantly bond with Lithuanian fans.

自分をテスト

Fill in the missing word in the correct form.

Mes sėdime kaip ant ______ (adata).

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: adatų

The preposition 'ant' requires the genitive plural 'adatų' in this idiom.

Which verb is MOST commonly used with this idiom?

______ kaip ant adatų.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Sėdėti

'Sėdėti' (to sit) is the standard verb paired with this idiom to show restlessness.

Match the situation to the feeling.

Laukiu labai svarbaus skambučio.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Esu kaip ant adatų

Waiting for an important call causes the anxiety described by the idiom.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Kodėl tu visą laiką vaikštai po kambarį? B: Rytoj egzaminas, todėl ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: sėdžiu kaip ant adatų

Walking around restlessly before an exam is a perfect context for 'sėdžiu kaip ant adatų'.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

When to use this phrase

Waiting

  • Exam results
  • Job news
  • Doctor's call
😰

Nerves

  • First date
  • Public speaking
  • Big game

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the missing word in the correct form. Fill Blank A1

Mes sėdime kaip ant ______ (adata).

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: adatų

The preposition 'ant' requires the genitive plural 'adatų' in this idiom.

Which verb is MOST commonly used with this idiom? Choose A1

______ kaip ant adatų.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Sėdėti

'Sėdėti' (to sit) is the standard verb paired with this idiom to show restlessness.

Match the situation to the feeling. situation_matching A2

Laukiu labai svarbaus skambučio.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Esu kaip ant adatų

Waiting for an important call causes the anxiety described by the idiom.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: Kodėl tu visą laiką vaikštai po kambarį? B: Rytoj egzaminas, todėl ______.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: sėdžiu kaip ant adatų

Walking around restlessly before an exam is a perfect context for 'sėdžiu kaip ant adatų'.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

10 問

It is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a professional setting to describe a tense situation.

No, it is strictly for psychological anxiety or restlessness.

The singular is 'adata' (needle), but the idiom always uses the plural.

Yes, the meaning is identical.

It is possible, but 'sėdėti' is much more common.

You can say 'Aš nusiraminau' (I calmed down) or 'Akmuo nuo širdies nukrito' (A stone fell from my heart).

Yes, it is very common in Lithuanian literature to describe a character's internal state.

No, only anxiety or nervous anticipation.

Yes, if the waiting for the surprise makes you nervous/excited.

In this context, it takes the Genitive case.

関連フレーズ

🔗

Nenustygti vietoje

similar

To be unable to stay in one place

🔄

Kaip ant anglių

synonym

Like on coals

🔗

Varyti į neviltį

contrast

To drive to despair

🔗

Širdis į kulnus nukrito

similar

Heart dropped to the heels

🔗

Laukti išskėstomis rankomis

contrast

To wait with open arms

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