B1 Idiom 中性

stare sulle spine

to be on pins and needles

意思

To be anxious about something.

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文化背景

Italians often use hand gestures to accompany this. You might see someone tapping their fingers rapidly or mimicking a 'pricking' motion with their fingers to show they are 'sulle spine'. In classic Italian 'Giallo' films, the director's goal is to 'tenere lo spettatore sulle spine' (keep the viewer on pins and needles) until the very end. In some southern regions, the physical restlessness is emphasized even more, sometimes linked to the heat of the sun or the 'scirocco' wind which makes people edgy. The 'esame di maturità' (high school exit exam) is the ultimate 'stare sulle spine' moment for every Italian teenager.

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Use with 'Tenere'

If you want to sound more native, use 'Non tenermi sulle spine!' when someone is slow to tell you a secret.

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Plural Only

Never say 'sulla spina'. It's a fixed plural idiom.

意思

To be anxious about something.

💡

Use with 'Tenere'

If you want to sound more native, use 'Non tenermi sulle spine!' when someone is slow to tell you a secret.

⚠️

Plural Only

Never say 'sulla spina'. It's a fixed plural idiom.

🎯

Social Media

On Italian Twitter, you'll see #sullespine during sports matches or reality show finales.

💬

Empathy

Saying 'Ti capisco, sarai sulle spine' is a very kind way to acknowledge someone's stress.

自我测试

Completa la frase con la forma corretta di 'stare sulle spine'.

Mentre aspettavo la risposta del mio capo, io ________.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: stavo sulle spine

Since the subject is 'io' and it's a past state of waiting, 'stavo sulle spine' is the most natural fit.

Quale frase è corretta?

Scegli l'opzione grammaticalmente corretta.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Non tenermi sulle spine!

The idiom requires the plural 'spine' and the verb 'tenere' when someone else is causing the suspense.

In quale situazione useresti 'stare sulle spine'?

Abbina la situazione all'idioma.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Stai aspettando di sapere se hai vinto la lotteria.

The idiom is used for anxious waiting and suspense.

Completa il dialogo.

A: 'Hai visto il finale della serie?' B: 'No, non dirmelo! Mi vuoi ________?'

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: tenere sulle spine

'Tenere sulle spine' is used when someone else is withholding information.

🎉 得分: /4

视觉学习工具

Stare vs Tenere

Stare sulle spine
Io sto... I am (feeling it)
Tenere sulle spine
Tu mi tieni... You keep me (waiting)

练习题库

4 练习
Completa la frase con la forma corretta di 'stare sulle spine'. Fill Blank B1

Mentre aspettavo la risposta del mio capo, io ________.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: stavo sulle spine

Since the subject is 'io' and it's a past state of waiting, 'stavo sulle spine' is the most natural fit.

Quale frase è corretta? Choose A2

Scegli l'opzione grammaticalmente corretta.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Non tenermi sulle spine!

The idiom requires the plural 'spine' and the verb 'tenere' when someone else is causing the suspense.

In quale situazione useresti 'stare sulle spine'? situation_matching B1

Abbina la situazione all'idioma.

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: Stai aspettando di sapere se hai vinto la lotteria.

The idiom is used for anxious waiting and suspense.

Completa il dialogo. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Hai visto il finale della serie?' B: 'No, non dirmelo! Mi vuoi ________?'

✓ 正确! ✗ 不太对。 正确答案: tenere sulle spine

'Tenere sulle spine' is used when someone else is withholding information.

🎉 得分: /4

常见问题

14 个问题

Yes, 'essere sulle spine' is perfectly acceptable and common, though 'stare' is slightly more idiomatic.

Mostly, but it can be used for positive suspense too, like waiting to open a birthday present.

It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.

The closest equivalents are 'to be on pins and needles' or 'to be on tenterhooks'.

No, 'stare sulle punte' means to stand on your tiptoes (like a ballerina).

Yes, but 'stare sulle spine' is more descriptive and focuses on the *waiting* aspect.

Use 'Mi stai tenendo sulle spine'.

Yes, for example: 'Il mercato è sulle spine per le nuove tasse'.

No, only for the metaphorical 'pain' of anxiety.

There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'mettersi l'anima in pace' (to put one's soul at peace) is often the result of no longer being on thorns.

Yes, many Italian pop songs use it to describe romantic longing or waiting.

No, that would be literal. Keep it as 'stare sulle spine'.

It's universal! Everyone from kids to grandparents uses it.

Only if the excitement has a nervous, suspenseful edge. For pure joy, use 'non vedo l'ora'.

相关表达

🔗

avere il fiato sospeso

similar

To have bated breath

🔄

essere in ansia

synonym

To be anxious

🔗

non vedere l'ora

similar

To can't wait

🔗

mettere il pepe al culo

contrast

To put fire under someone's butt

🔗

stare in campana

contrast

To be on the lookout

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