bite one's nails
To worry or fret over something.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Stop biting your nails when you feel nervous.”
“She was biting her nails while waiting for the important exam results to arrive.”
“As the final seconds of the championship game ticked away, the fans were biting their nails in anticipation of the outcome.”
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026