have ants in the/(one's) pants

have ants in the/(one's) pants

1. To be unable to sit still, due to anxiety, excess energy, or impatience. The kids really have ants in the pants today, so I'm going to take them to the playground. A: "Why is Carrie pacing?" B: "She's waiting for her doctor to call, so she's had ants in her pants all day."2. To be interested in or in pursuit of sexual activity. You've been single for awhile now—don't you have ants in the pants yet?See also: ant, have, pant

ants in one's pants, have

1. Be extremely restless, uneasy, impatient, or anxious, as in This child just can't sit still; she must have ants in her pants. This rhyming idiom calls up a vivid image of what might cause one to be jumpy. [Slang; 1920s] 2. Be eager for sexual activity, as in Bill's got ants in his pants for Rita. This usage is less common today. [Slang; 1920s] See also: ant, have

have ants in your pants

INFORMALIf someone has ants in their pants, they cannot keep still. They all had ants in their pants, incapable of sitting in their seats for more than six minutes at a stretch.See also: ant, have, pant

have ants in your pants

be fidgety or restless. informalSee also: ant, have, pant

have ants in your pants

(informal) be unable to stay still because you are anxious or excited about something: Relax and enjoy yourself — you’ve really got ants in your pants about something tonight!See also: ant, have, pant

have ants in one’s pants

tv. to be nervous and anxious. (see also antsy. Have got can replace have.) All kids’ve got ants in their pants all the time at that age. See also: ant, have, pant