bite one's nails

English

Verb

bite one's nails (third-person singular simple present bites one's nails, present participle biting one's nails, simple past bit one's nails, past participle bitten one's nails)

1. (idiomatic) To worry or fret over something.

   Synonym: chew on one's nails

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: bite one's fingernails.

Related terms

• nail biter
• nailbiting