Sometimes we feel funny in our tummy. Our hands might feel cold or our heart might beat fast. This happens when we are nervous. It could be before a test, a big game, or talking in front of the class. Everyone feels nervous sometimes.
Writers use special phrases to show these feelings. These are called metaphors. A metaphor says something is something else, even if it is not true. Like saying “my heart is a drum” to mean it’s beating fast. In this lesson, we will learn simple metaphors to talk about nervousness. They help us understand and share how we feel inside.
Metaphors for Nervousness
1. My Stomach Is a Washing Machine
Meaning: Feeling upset or turning inside.
To Provide an Example: I felt like my stomach was a washing machine before the test. / My tummy spun like a washing machine before the spelling bee.
Alternative Meaning: Nervous feelings inside the belly. / Feeling mixed-up.
2. My Hands Are Ice Cubes
Meaning: Hands feel very cold when scared.
To Provide an Example: His hands were ice cubes during the school play. / I held my icy hands before my name was called.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling afraid. / Not warm or calm.
3. My Heart Is a Drum
Meaning: Heart beats fast from nerves.
To Provide an Example: My heart was a drum before I gave my speech. / It beat like a drum when I raised my hand.
Alternative Meaning: Fast heartbeat. / Feeling jumpy.
4. My Legs Are Noodles
Meaning: Legs feel weak or shaky.
To Provide an Example: My legs were noodles before I went on stage. / He walked like he had noodle legs to the front of the room.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling wobbly. / Not steady.
5. My Voice Is a Whisper
Meaning: Can’t talk loud because of nerves.
To Provide an Example: My voice was a whisper when I talked to the class. / I whispered my lines because I was shy.
Alternative Meaning: Speaking soft. / Feeling unsure.
6. My Brain Is a Fog
Meaning: Can’t think clearly when nervous.
To Provide an Example: My brain was a fog during the math quiz. / I forgot the answer because my head felt foggy.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling confused. / Hard to focus.
7. My Mouth Is a Desert
Meaning: Dry mouth from being nervous.
To Provide an Example: My mouth was a desert before my turn to sing. / I needed water because I was so dry.
Alternative Meaning: Nervous dryness. / Can’t talk well.
8. My Heart Is a Jackhammer
Meaning: Heart pounding very hard.
To Provide an Example: My heart was a jackhammer before my big race. / It thumped loud in my chest.
Alternative Meaning: Loud, fast heart. / Big nervous feelings.
9. My Thoughts Are Butterflies
Meaning: Lots of fast, jumpy thoughts.
To Provide an Example: My thoughts were butterflies before my test. / I couldn’t stop thinking about what might go wrong.
Alternative Meaning: Many nervous ideas. / Mind not calm.
10. My Feet Are Cement
Meaning: Feet feel stuck from fear.
To Provide an Example: My feet were cement when I had to go up. / I couldn’t move because I was so scared.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t move. / Frozen from nerves.
11. My Belly Is a Storm
Meaning: Upset tummy with nervousness.
To Provide an Example: My belly was a storm before the spelling contest. / The butterflies felt like a storm inside.
Alternative Meaning: Nervous tummy. / Feeling sick from worry.
12. My Mind Is a Tornado
Meaning: Spinning thoughts from stress.
To Provide an Example: My mind was a tornado during the big test. / I couldn’t stop the spinning thoughts.
Alternative Meaning: Too many thoughts. / Trouble thinking.
13. My Knees Are Jelly
Meaning: Legs feel weak and soft.
To Provide an Example: My knees were jelly when I stood up to speak. / I walked like jelly to the front.
Alternative Meaning: Not strong. / Feeling shaky.
14. My Voice Is a Mouse
Meaning: Speaking very quietly.
To Provide an Example: I talked like a mouse in front of the class. / My voice was as tiny as a mouse.
Alternative Meaning: Scared to talk. / Very quiet voice.
15. My Heart Is a Race Car
Meaning: Heart racing super fast.
To Provide an Example: My heart was a race car during the spelling test. / It zoomed inside my chest.
Alternative Meaning: Fast heartbeats. / Feeling rushed inside.
16. My Chest Is a Drum Set
Meaning: Loud and quick heartbeats.
To Provide an Example: My chest was a drum set when the teacher called on me. / Boom boom boom—it wouldn’t stop.
Alternative Meaning: Body reacting to nerves. / Feeling loud inside.
17. My Face Is a Fire
Meaning: Feeling hot or blushing from nerves.
To Provide an Example: My face was a fire when I made a mistake. / I could feel the heat on my cheeks.
Alternative Meaning: Blushing. / Embarrassed.
18. My Thoughts Are Popping Corn
Meaning: Too many fast ideas at once.
To Provide an Example: My thoughts were popping corn before my presentation. / I couldn’t pick one thought to say.
Alternative Meaning: Jumpy ideas. / Busy brain.
19. My Words Are a Puzzle
Meaning: Hard to speak clearly.
To Provide an Example: My words were a puzzle during my speech. / I mixed them up from nerves.
Alternative Meaning: Speaking wrong. / Getting stuck.
20. My Body Is a Statue
Meaning: Too scared to move.
To Provide an Example: I was a statue when they called my name. / I didn’t move a muscle.
Alternative Meaning: Frozen. / Too nervous to act.
21. My Skin Is a Cactus
Meaning: Skin feels prickly when nervous.
To Provide an Example: My skin felt like a cactus before the test. / I had goosebumps like a cactus.
Alternative Meaning: Tense or jumpy skin. / Feeling strange on the outside.
22. My Tongue Is a Knot
Meaning: Hard to speak from nerves.
To Provide an Example: My tongue was a knot when I tried to talk. / I tripped on my words like my tongue was tied.
Alternative Meaning: Stumbling over words. / Can’t speak clearly.
23. My Back Is a Board
Meaning: Very stiff from fear.
To Provide an Example: I sat like a board during the game. / My back didn’t bend—I was too scared.
Alternative Meaning: Not relaxed. / Too tense.
24. My Eyes Are Ping Pong Balls
Meaning: Eyes darting from nervousness.
To Provide an Example: My eyes were ping pong balls during the quiz. / I looked everywhere but couldn’t focus.
Alternative Meaning: Jumping eyes. / Not staying still.
25. My Smile Is a Sticker
Meaning: Fake smile because of nerves.
To Provide an Example: My smile felt like a sticker when I met the new teacher. / It didn’t feel real.
Alternative Meaning: Forced smile. / Pretending to be okay.
26. My Thoughts Are a Traffic Jam
Meaning: Too many ideas stuck at once.
To Provide an Example: My brain had a traffic jam when I forgot my lines. / I couldn’t pick what to say.
Alternative Meaning: Too full to think. / Mind is blocked.
27. My Ears Are a Shell
Meaning: Not listening well from nerves.
To Provide an Example: My ears were like shells—I couldn’t hear the question. / Everything sounded far away.
Alternative Meaning: Not focusing. / Nerves blocking hearing.
28. My Words Are Marbles
Meaning: Words feel slippery and hard to catch.
To Provide an Example: My words were marbles—I dropped them. / They rolled out all wrong.
Alternative Meaning: Hard to talk. / Saying things wrong.
29. My Neck Is a Straw
Meaning: Feeling small or weak inside.
To Provide an Example: My neck was a straw—I felt tiny. / I shrank in my seat.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling little. / Wanting to hide.
30. My Breath Is a Balloon
Meaning: Breathing gets too big or fast.
To Provide an Example: My breath was a balloon getting too full. / I had to calm it down.
Alternative Meaning: Fast or short breathing. / Out of breath.
31. My Fingers Are Pencils
Meaning: Hands stiff from nerves.
To Provide an Example: My fingers were pencils during art class. / I couldn’t bend them well.
Alternative Meaning: Not moving freely. / Tight hands.
32. My Shoulders Are Rocks
Meaning: Shoulders feel heavy or tense.
To Provide an Example: My shoulders were rocks before the show. / They didn’t drop until it was over.
Alternative Meaning: Carrying stress. / Feeling weighed down.
33. My Heart Is a Rabbit
Meaning: Quick and jumpy heart.
To Provide an Example: My heart was a rabbit when I saw my score. / It hopped in my chest.
Alternative Meaning: Fast beats. / Scared feeling.
34. My Head Is a Balloon
Meaning: Head feels light or floaty.
To Provide an Example: My head was a balloon when I got nervous. / I felt like floating away.
Alternative Meaning: Dizzy. / Not grounded.
35. My Arms Are Sticks
Meaning: Arms don’t move well from fear.
To Provide an Example: My arms were sticks when I had to raise my hand. / They stayed by my side.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling stiff. / Not moving.
36. My Tummy Is a Zoo
Meaning: Lots of wild feelings in the belly.
To Provide an Example: My tummy was a zoo before show time. / So many feelings ran around inside.
Alternative Meaning: Mixed-up stomach. / Jumpy feelings.
37. My Mind Is a Cloud
Meaning: Not clear thinking.
To Provide an Example: My mind was a cloud when I looked at the test. / I couldn’t see the answers.
Alternative Meaning: Foggy head. / Nervous brain.
38. My Thoughts Are Bubbles
Meaning: Ideas float and pop quickly.
To Provide an Example: My thoughts were bubbles—there one second, gone the next. / I couldn’t hold them.
Alternative Meaning: Unsteady thinking. / Fast, loose ideas.
39. My Smile Is a Curtain
Meaning: Hiding nervousness with a smile.
To Provide an Example: My smile was a curtain hiding how I felt. / I smiled, but I was scared.
Alternative Meaning: Covering nerves. / Pretending.
40. My Words Are Leaves
Meaning: Words fall or drift away.
To Provide an Example: My words were leaves flying off. / I tried to speak but lost them.
Alternative Meaning: Losing words. / Not able to talk clearly.
41. My Voice Is a Bubble
Meaning: Tiny and easy to pop.
To Provide an Example: My voice was a bubble—it didn’t last. / It popped before I finished my sentence.
Alternative Meaning: Weak voice. / Easily broken.
42. My Thoughts Are Shadows
Meaning: Can’t grab or hold them.
To Provide an Example: My thoughts were shadows in the room. / I couldn’t hold onto them.
Alternative Meaning: Scattered thoughts. / Hard to catch.
43. My Eyes Are Windows with Curtains
Meaning: Hard to see clearly.
To Provide an Example: My eyes were windows with curtains—I couldn’t focus. / I blinked a lot.
Alternative Meaning: Cloudy vision. / Nervous eyesight.
44. My Feet Are Boats
Meaning: Rocking and unsure.
To Provide an Example: My feet were boats—they rocked in place. / I felt like I might fall.
Alternative Meaning: Not steady. / Swaying from nerves.
45. My Voice Is a Feather
Meaning: Very light and easy to lose.
To Provide an Example: My voice was a feather—I could barely hear it. / It floated away.
Alternative Meaning: Very soft. / Hard to speak up.
46. My Tummy Is a Roller Coaster
Meaning: Ups and downs from nervousness.
To Provide an Example: My tummy was a roller coaster before the show. / I felt drops and turns inside.
Alternative Meaning: Wild belly feeling. / Emotional ride.
47. My Brain Is a Bouncing Ball
Meaning: Can’t stay still or focus.
To Provide an Example: My brain was a bouncing ball in class. / It didn’t stop jumping.
Alternative Meaning: Unsteady thinking. / Can’t focus.
48. My Hands Are Balloons
Meaning: Hands feel puffy or light.
To Provide an Example: My hands were balloons—I couldn’t hold the paper. / They felt too big.
Alternative Meaning: Strange hand feeling. / Not strong.
49. My Neck Is a Ruler
Meaning: Holding it stiffly.
To Provide an Example: My neck was a ruler—I didn’t move it. / I stared straight ahead.
Alternative Meaning: Frozen from nerves. / Stiff.
50. My Thoughts Are Raindrops
Meaning: Many thoughts falling quickly.
To Provide an Example: My thoughts were raindrops—they came fast. / I couldn’t catch them all.
Alternative Meaning: Lots of quick ideas. / Overthinking.
Trials for Success: Metaphors for Nervousness
- Before my turn in the school play, my hands felt like _______.
- I wanted to raise my hand, but my legs were _______.
- My heart was a _______ when the teacher said my name.
- When I forgot the answer, my brain turned into a _______.
- My face was a _______ when I had to read aloud.
- Before the big game, my tummy was a _______.
- My thoughts were _______ during the math test.
- I tried to talk, but my voice was a _______.
- My feet were _______ when I walked to the front.
- My smile felt like a _______ because I was so nervous.
- My fingers felt like _______ when I picked up my pencil.
- My words turned into _______ when I spoke to the class.
- My shoulders were like _______ before my presentation.
- My breath was a _______ when I stood on stage.
- My tummy felt like a _______ with all the flips and turns.
Answer Key
- ice cubes
- noodles
- drum
- fog
- fire
- storm
- butterflies
- whisper
- cement
- sticker
- pencils
- marbles
- rocks
- balloon
- roller coaster
Conclusion
Everyone feels nervous sometimes. It might be before a game, a test, or talking in front of others. That feeling is normal. Metaphors help us talk about these feelings in fun and simple ways.
When we say “my legs are noodles” or “my heart is a drum,” it helps others know how we feel inside. These phrases make it easier to share and understand nervousness. Now that you’ve learned them, try using them when you feel jumpy or unsure. They can help you feel better and talk clearly about your feelings.
