Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

heart-in-your-mouth

idiomatic expression
/hɑrt ɪn jʊər maʊθ/
Definition
A feeling of intense nervousness or fear.
Examples
  • When I saw the car coming towards me, I felt my heart-in-your-mouth.
  • Standing on the edge of the cliff gave me a real heart-in-your-mouth moment.
  • Her heart was in her mouth when the teacher called her name unexpectedly.
Meaning
When someone is extremely anxious, worried, or frightened, they may experience a sensation often described as ‘heart-in-your-mouth.’ It’s a figurative way to express how anxiety can affect one’s physical state.
Synonyms
  • nervous
  • anxious
  • scared
  • frightened