climb the walls

present singular third person climbs the walls · participle present climbing the walls · participle past climbed the walls · past climbed the walls

1. idiomaticTo behave in a distressed or frantic manner; to exhibit great agitation.

   The organized pushers went underground to wait out the heat and the addicts started to climb the walls.

   1970, Wally Ferris, Across 110th, page 93

   2 more examples

   There are purists who climb the walls when German Conductor-Organist-Harpsichordist Karl Richter performs Bach. . . . To them, imagination—and Richter has plenty—is the ultimate transgression.

   1968 July 5, “Never Like Anyone Else”, in Time

   Or maybe we could locate a place to camp and fish that would be close to your mother. The area wouldn't be as nice, but we could still be outdoors and meet other needs as well. And the boys wouldn't be climbing the walls.

   1989, Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Free Press