Phrase guide

one's heart in one's mouth

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A state of nervousness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I rang the doorbell and waited with my heart in my mouth.
  • I had my heart in my mouth while I waited for news of my son.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 提心吊膽 /提心吊胆 (tíxīndiàodǎn) — to be very scared (idiom)
  • Finnish: sydän kurkussa — to be very scared (idiom)
  • Russian: душа́ в пя́тки ушла́ (dušá v pjátki ušlá) — to be very scared (idiom)
  • Spanish: tener el corazón en un puño — to be very scared (idiom)
  • Spanish: tener el corazón en la boca — to be very scared (idiom)