坐立不安

zuòlì-bù'ān

idiom #17,165

Meanings

Literally 'sitting and standing, not at ease' - too restless to be in any position.

HSK 4

这个消息让她坐立不安了一整天。

Zhège xiāoxi ràng tā zuòlì-bù'ān le yìzhěngtiān.

The news made her restless for the entire day.

HSK 5

等待考试结果的时候，他坐立不安。

Děngdài kǎoshì jiéguǒ de shíhou, tā zuòlì-bù'ān.

He was on tenterhooks while waiting for the exam results.

memory

Picture someone so anxious they can't sit (坐) or stand (立) comfortably - neither position brings peace (不安). That's restlessness.

坐 zuò

立 lì

不 bù

安 ān