one's heart in one's mouth en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) A state of nervousness.
There was a last-ditch quality to England’s defending and when Pierre-Emile Højbjerg shaped a curler for the far corner in the 85th minute, England’s hearts were in their mouths. The shot was off target.
2024 June 20, David Hytner, “Hjulmand rocket earns Denmark draw as England struggle after Kane opener”, in The Guardian:I had my heart in my mouth while I waited for news of my son.
I rang the doorbell and waited with my heart in my mouth.
Winger Cheslin Kolbe, sitting with his jersey over his head in the sin after a yellow card at the death, was probably the sight of millions of South Africans around the country who had their hearts in their mouth as they sat through another nail-biting match.
2023 October 28, Leighton Koopman, “YES!!! The Springboks beat the All Blacks to win another Rugby World Cup title”, in Independent Online:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| one's heart in one's throat | alternative | lexicographic |
Relateds
have one's heart in one's boots · heart-in-mouth
Translations (5)
ru душа́ в пя́тки ушла́ (to be very scared (idiom)) · fi sydän kurkussa (to be very scared (idiom)) · es tener el corazón en un puño (to be very scared (idiom)) · cmn 提心吊膽 /提心吊胆 (to be very scared (idiom)) · es tener el corazón en la boca (to be very scared (idiom))