bite one's nails
The phrase "bite one's nails" is commonly used to describe both a literal nervous habit and a figurative expression of anxiety or anticipation.
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Definition
B2General
(literal, informal)To chew on one's fingernails, often due to nervousness.
Example
- She tends to bite her nails when she's stressed.
B2Figurative
(idiomatic, informal)To feel anxious or nervous, usually while waiting for something to happen.
Example
- He was biting his nails while waiting for the exam results.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bite one's nails":
nail biterbite inbite offchew offbite backtoe biterbite the biscuitbite the curbgrit one's teethbite the bulletbite the big onechew onbite down