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What Does It Mean to Have "Ants in Your Pants"?

M.C. Huguelet
M.C. Huguelet

For many American speakers of English, the phrase “ants in your pants” is so familiar that its meaning has never been explicitly questioned. In fact, the phrase is an idiom, or an expression that does not make much sense when its individual parts are examined, and therefore it may bewilder non-native English speakers, or even non-American English speakers. Essentially, it's used to describe a person who is fidgety and restless, often because he is distracted by some pressing thought. The exact origin of this idiom is unclear.

“Ants in your pants” is an idiom, so it would be difficult or even impossible for a person unfamiliar with a particular idiom to decipher its meaning when it is presented in isolation, without any contextual information. Other examples of English-language idioms include “play by ear,” “spill the beans,” or “on your high horse.”

An idiom is a turn of phrase that usually doesn't make sense when literally translated.
An idiom is a turn of phrase that usually doesn't make sense when literally translated.

This phrase is used to describe an individual who is fidgety and restless, often because he is distracted or anxious. For instance, a kindergarten student who is looking forward to a birthday party after school might have difficulty sitting still during class. This student may be said to have ants in his pants, although obviously, the student does not literally have these insects in his clothing. Rather, his fidgety movements are visually similar to the movements that might be displayed by a person whose clothes are filled with bugs.

Small children, such as kindergarteners, sometimes have difficulty sitting still and may be described as having "ants in their pants."
Small children, such as kindergarteners, sometimes have difficulty sitting still and may be described as having "ants in their pants."

It is not known when the phrase “ants in your pants” was first introduced, or who initiated its usage. Research shows, however, that the phrase has been widely used since the mid-20th century, and was probably introduced even earlier. Additionally, it is largely considered to be an Americanism, and as such, it may not be familiar to English speakers from countries such as Ireland, England, South Africa, or Australia.

Discussion Comments

Animandel

I have a friend who literally had ants in her pants one time. We were playing fetch with our dogs in a field behind her parents' house. Her dog came back without the tennis ball after one of my friend's throws, so she went to get the ball.

She retrieved the ball and was walking back to the yard when I noticed her doing this funny little hop that turned into a jumping episode, followed by screaming and then the removal of her pants. She ran back into the yard without pants and her legs were covered in fire ants.

We still laugh about that when I talk with her today and that was over 20 years ago. She was really in a bad way for a few days until the bites healed and she started to feel better.

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    • An idiom is a turn of phrase that usually doesn't make sense when literally translated.
      By: Sebastian Crocker
      An idiom is a turn of phrase that usually doesn't make sense when literally translated.
    • Small children, such as kindergarteners, sometimes have difficulty sitting still and may be described as having "ants in their pants."
      By: Petro Feketa
      Small children, such as kindergarteners, sometimes have difficulty sitting still and may be described as having "ants in their pants."