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ant

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warrior ant

A species of ant that is known to travel in armies and capture other ants. In today's class, we will study the behavior of the warrior ant.

See also: ant, warrior

ants in (the/one's) pants

Said of one who is unable to sit still, due to anxiety, excess energy, or impatience. The phrase is typically used with the verb "have." 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."

See also: ant, pant

*ants in one's pants

Fig. nervousness and agitation, (on the image of someone suffering great discomfort as if having actual ants in the pants. *Typically: get ~; have ~; give one ~.) I always get ants in my pants before a test. I wonder if all acton get ants in their pants before they go onstage.

See also: ant, pant

have ants in your pants

to be very excited or worried about something I've got ants in my pants - I can't wait to get started on my experiment.

See also: ant, have, pant

have ants in your pants

  (humorous)

to not be able to keep still because you are very excited or worried about something She's got ants in her pants because she's going to a party tonight.

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 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

pissant

and piss-ant

1. n. a wretched and worthless person. (Often objectionable.) Look, you silly pissant, beat it!

2. mod. worthless. (Often objectionable.) I don’t want this little pissant piece of pie. Give me a real piece.

piss-ant

verb

See pissant

ants in (one's) pants

Slang

A state of restless impatience.

See also: ant, pant