Hearing the news, she sat in her chair as if on pins and needles, unable to settle.
Tips
memory
Picture literally sitting on a felt mat (毡) full of needles (针) — the image of pricking discomfort maps perfectly to the feeling of anxiety and restlessness this idiom describes.
usage
如坐针毡 is often paired with 坐立不安 (unable to sit or stand still) to intensify the sense of extreme unease or anxiety.
