“七上八下”在英语中可以表达为 “be in a state of extreme anxiety/nervousness” 或 “have a jittery/fluttery feeling”,更简洁生动的表达可以是 “be all at sixes and sevens”(这个习语原意虽指混乱无序,但常被用来形象表达内心忐忑不安的状态,与中文“七上八下”的意象较为契合)。
正式表达焦虑状态:
After hearing the unexpected news, she was in a state of extreme anxiety all day. (听到这个意外消息后,她一整天都七上八下的。)
口语化表达忐忑情绪:
I'm all at sixes and sevens waiting for the interview results. (等面试结果时,我心里七上八下的。)
强调内心的不安与慌乱:
He had a jittery feeling in his stomach before the big presentation. (在重要汇报前,他肚子里七上八下的。)
选择时可根据语境调整:若需强调心理状态,推荐前两个表达;若追求生动比喻且对方熟悉英语习语,可用“all at sixes and sevens”。