сердце не на месте

• ДУША <СЕРДЦЕ> НЕ НА МЕСТЕ (укого) coll

[VPsubj with быть; these forms only; fixed WO]

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⇒ s.o. feels restless, very alarmed (usu. in expectation of possible trouble or a potential misfortune for s.o. dear, or out of concern for sth. dear):

- у X-a душа не на месте{{}}≈ X is awfully worried;

- X is worried sick;

- X's heart is in his mouth;

- [in limited contexts] X is on tenterhooks <on pins and needles>.

     ♦ [Городничий:] Да говорите, ради бога, что такое? У меня сердце не на месте (Гоголь 4). [Mayor:] So tell us, for God's sake, what is it? My heart's in my mouth (4a).