have butterflies in your stomach
/hæv ˈbʌtəflaɪz ɪn jə ˈstʌmək/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
to feel very nervous before something important
Examples
- 1I always have butterflies in my stomach before a job interview.
- 2Aisha had butterflies in her stomach as she waited backstage.
- 3Do you still have butterflies in your stomach before every exam?
- 4Leo had butterflies in his stomach right up to the first note.
- 5She says she never has butterflies in her stomach on stage.
Grammar
The possessive matches the subject, and have carries the tense (has, had). get is also used, and butterflies stays plural.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about emotions
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →on cloud nineextremely happy and excitedcry your eyes outto weep a great dealdrive someone up the wallto make someone very annoyed or angryhead over heelscompletely in love with someoneget something off your chestto say at last what has been worrying youkeep your chin upto stay cheerful in a difficult situation
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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