get pre-show jitters

Meaning

This expression refers to the nervous, anxious, or excited feeling someone gets right before performing in front of an audience. It is commonly used by actors, musicians, athletes, and public speakers. While it describes anxiety, it often carries a lighthearted or normal connotation, as most performers expect to feel this way.

Examples

• Even after ten years on Broadway, she still gets pre-show jitters before the curtain rises.

  Even after ten years on Broadway, she still gets pre-show jitters before the curtain rises.

• I always get pre-show jitters, so I usually pace around backstage to burn off the nervous energy.

  I always get pre-show jitters, so I usually pace around backstage to burn off the nervous energy.

• Don't worry about being nervous; almost every actor gets pre-show jitters on opening night.

  Don't worry about being nervous; almost every actor gets pre-show jitters on opening night.

• He tried to hide his pre-show jitters, but his hands were shaking slightly as he held the microphone.

  He tried to hide his pre-show jitters, but his hands were shaking slightly as he held the microphone.

• If you get pre-show jitters, taking deep breaths and listening to music can help you calm down.

  If you get pre-show jitters, taking deep breaths and listening to music can help you calm down.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a lot of pre-show jitters.

  ✓ I get pre-show jitters.

  While grammatically possible, 'get pre-show jitters' is the standard, natural collocation used by native speakers to express experiencing this feeling.

• ✗ She got pre-show shivers before going on stage.

  ✓ She got pre-show jitters before going on stage.

  'Shivers' refers to physical shaking from cold or fear, whereas 'jitters' specifically refers to nervous anxiety before an event.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Even seasoned actors often ___ before a big performance.

  💡 feel nervous right before going on stage

  Show answer

  get pre-show jitters

• I always ___ , but once I step on stage, the anxiety disappears.

  💡 feel anxious before the show starts

  Show answer

  get pre-show jitters