How do you use "Butterflies in the Stomach" in a sentence?

I had butterflies in my stomach before the job interview. She still gives me butterflies after all these years. The actors always get butterflies before going on stage. I've got butterflies just thinking about tomorrow.

Butterflies in the Stomach

Q: What does "Butterflies in the Stomach" mean?

Nervous excitement or anticipation This wonderfully descriptive phrase captures the fluttery, unsettled feeling in your stomach when nervous or excited. It's usually about positive anticipation (first dates, performances) rather than pure dread—there's excitement mixed with the nervousness.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Nervous excitement or anticipation

心里七上八下；紧张又期待

Mariposas en el estómago; nervios de emoción

胸がドキドキする；緊張と期待

긴장되면서 설레는 느낌; 두근두근

This wonderfully descriptive phrase captures the fluttery, unsettled feeling in your stomach when nervous or excited. It's usually about positive anticipation (first dates, performances) rather than pure dread—there's excitement mixed with the nervousness.

这个极具描述性的短语捕捉了紧张或兴奋时胃里那种翻腾不安的感觉。通常是关于积极的期待（第一次约会、表演）而不是纯粹的恐惧——紧张中夹杂着兴奋。

Esta frase maravillosamente descriptiva captura esa sensación de aleteo e inquietud en el estómago cuando estás nervioso o emocionado. Normalmente se trata de anticipación positiva (primeras citas, actuaciones) más que de puro temor: hay emoción mezclada con el nerviosismo.

この見事に描写的な表現は、緊張したり興奮したりしているときのお腹のそわそわした落ち着かない感覚を捉えている。通常は純粋な恐怖よりもポジティブな期待（初デート、パフォーマンス）についてで、緊張に興奮が混じっている。

이 매우 묘사적인 표현은 긴장하거나 설렐 때 배 속이 들뜨고 불안한 느낌을 포착한다. 보통 순수한 두려움보다는 긍정적인 기대감(첫 데이트, 공연 등)에 쓰이며, 긴장감에 설렘이 섞여 있다.

Literal meaning: A fluttery sensation in the abdomen

Examples

I had butterflies in my stomach before the job interview.
面试前我紧张得肚子里像有蝴蝶在飞
Tenía mariposas en el estómago antes de la entrevista de trabajo
就職面接の前はお腹の中で蝶が飛んでいるようだった
취업 면접 전에 배 속에서 나비가 날아다니는 것 같았다.
She still gives me butterflies after all these years.
这么多年了，她还是让我心动
Todavía me produce mariposas después de todos estos años
何年経っても彼女を見るとドキドキする
이렇게 오랜 세월이 지났는데도 그녀를 보면 아직 두근거린다.
The actors always get butterflies before going on stage.
演员们上台前总是紧张兮兮的
Los actores siempre tienen mariposas antes de salir al escenario
役者は舞台に上がる前はいつも緊張する
배우들은 무대에 오르기 전 항상 긴장된다.
I've got butterflies just thinking about tomorrow.
一想到明天我就紧张得不行
Me dan mariposas solo de pensar en mañana
明日のことを考えるだけでドキドキする
내일 생각만 해도 가슴이 두근거린다.

Pronunciation

/ˈbʌtəflaɪz ɪn ðə ˈstʌmək/

Usage Guide

Context: nervousness, anticipation, romance

Tone: endearing, relatable

✓ Do Say

I've got butterflies.
我紧张得不行
Tengo mariposas en el estómago
ドキドキしている
두근두근해.
She gives me butterflies.
她让我心跳加速
Ella me da mariposas
彼女を見るとドキドキする
그녀를 보면 두근거려.
There were butterflies in my stomach.
我的胃里像有蝴蝶在飞
Tenía mariposas en el estómago
お腹の中で蝶が飛んでいるようだった
속이 울렁거렸어.

✗ Don't Say

Very common and always understood
非常常用，总能被理解
Muy común y siempre se entiende
非常に一般的で常に理解される
매우 흔하고 항상 통하는 표현
Often shortened to just 'butterflies'
经常简化为'butterflies'
A menudo se acorta a solo 'butterflies'
しばしば単に「butterflies」と省略される
종종 'butterflies'로만 줄여서 쓴다

Common Mistakes

Often shortened: 'I've got butterflies' (stomach implied)
Usually positive nervousness, not terror

Origin & History

The phrase emerged in the early 20th century, likely describing the actual physical sensation of nervous anticipation—the flutter in the stomach caused by adrenaline affecting digestion. The image of butterflies perfectly captures the light, fluttery, slightly chaotic sensation.

Etymology: From the physical sensation of nervousness, early 20th century

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Countless love songs reference butterflies; 'Butterflies' - common song title

Regional notes: Universal expression worldwide.

Variations

ButterfliesGot butterfliesGives me butterflies