Itching to

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

An idiomatic phrase describing eager desire, restless impatience, or strong inclination to act; somatic-sensation metaphor used in poetry to convey anticipatory urge, embodied longing, or compulsive motivation through dermatological-discomfort imagery emphasizing physicalized want.

Detailed Definition
Itching to means strongly eager, restless, or impatient to do something. In poetry, the idiom gives desire a bodily sensation, as though anticipation irritates the skin and demands action. It can describe a child longing to run, a lover waiting to speak, a rebel ready to act, or an artist eager to begin. The phrase is useful because it makes longing active and uncomfortable rather than merely abstract. A poet may use it to build suspense before release, confession, movement, or mischief.
Example
Example in poetry:
Eager: "She was itching to share her new poems with eager audiences."; Desire: "Youth feels itching to explore worlds beyond familiar horizons."; Educational: "Builds anticipation in journey poetry."; "The team was itching to compete."
Additional Notes
Strong desire, builds anticipation in journey or pursuit narratives. Usage tip: Convey eagerness. Suggests restlessness. Use in adventure poetry. Contrasts with contentment. Enhances drive. Pair with movement imagery.
Also Known As
Dying to Eager to Chomping at the bit Raring to Keen to
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