fingernail

bite (one's) nails

1. Literally, to chew on one's fingernails and shorten them. I wish I didn't bite my nails, but it's been such a hard habit to try to break. My sister gets regular manicures to keep from biting her nails.
2. To nervously await something. I've been biting my nails ever since I submitted my application for my first-choice college.
See also: bite, nail

cling on by (one's) fingernails

1. Literally, to grasp something, such as a cliff, with one's fingernails to avoid falling. The stranded hiker was clinging on by her fingernails until the rescue crew arrived.
2. By extension, to narrowly avoid problems or failure. They're clinging on by their fingernails out there—the other team's offensive is totally overwhelming them. Now that I have three small children to care for, I feel as if I'm clinging on by my fingernails every day.
See also: by, cling, fingernail, on

hang on by (one's) fingernails

1. Literally, to grasp something, such as a cliff, with one's fingernails to avoid falling. The stranded hiker was hanging on by her fingernails until the rescue crew arrived.
2. By extension, to narrowly avoid problems or failure. They're hanging on by their fingernails out there—the other team's offensive is totally overwhelming them. Now that I have three small children to care for, I feel as if I'm hanging on by my fingernails every day.
See also: by, fingernail, hang, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be hanging on by your fingertips

or

be hanging on by your fingernails

If you are hanging on by your fingertips or hanging on by your fingernails, you are only just managing to survive or to stay in the position you want. There are firms already hanging on by their fingertips who will not be able to take these extra costs. Real Madrid's poor start to the season has left coach Benito Floro hanging on to his job by his fingernails. Note: The verb cling is sometimes used instead of hang. The minister is said to be clinging on by his fingernails since the scandal. Note: You can also say that someone has a fingertip hold on something. A Bolton own goal early in the second half gave Liverpool the fingertip hold they needed to retain their grasp of the FA Cup.
See also: by, fingertip, hanging, on
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

bite your ˈnails/ˈfingernails

feel very excited, nervous, or afraid ▶ ˈnail-biting adj. very exciting or tense: What an exciting movie that was — real nail-biting stuff!
See also: bite, fingernail, nail
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • bite (one's) nails
  • bite nails
  • bite one's nails
  • bite your nails/fingernails
  • hang on by (one's) fingernails
  • cling on by (one's) fingernails
  • break (one's) habit
  • break a habit
  • break a/the habit
  • be (as) hard as nails
References in periodicals archive
I am attaching a copy of a press release that discusses studies on hazards posed by acrylic fingernails.
Letters to the Editor
Sonnex et al.10 examined the fingernails of 24 patients with classical adult (type 1) pityriasis rubra pilaris for changes in nail morphology and a comparison was made with the fingernail morphology of 27 consecutive psoriatic patients with nail changes.
A clinical study of nail changes in common papulosquamous disorders
“It is very sharp and cuts right through my fingernails with no effort.
New Clyppi Fingernail Clippers Released Online to Amazon Shoppers
Imagine for instance when we looked for markers associated with fingernail growth rate, we found three widely separated markers with statistical relevance.
Quantitative trait loci--uncovering genes for continuously variable traits
A disgusted mum has told of how her daughter almost swallowed some 'fingernails' she found in Aldi sardines.
Mum demands investigation after girl, 7, finds 'fingernails' in Aldi sardines; Lizzie Record complained to Aldi after the grim find but 'doesn't feel like they are taking it seriously' as the store insists they were fish bones
The ClipDifferent automatic fingernail clipper can be purchased directly at clipdifferent.com.
First-of-Its-Kind Automatic Fingernail Clipper for People of All Abilities by ClipDifferent
After soaking your finger, you should then place any ointment or oil on the fingernail. You should also replace any cotton or bandages after soaking the finger.
How to Treat an Ingrown Fingernail
New York: Shridhar Chillal, an octogenarian from India with the world's longest fingernails, is all set to finally cut his coiled appendages after 66 years at a ceremony here.
Man with world's longest fingernails set to cut them after 66 years
By the third day, the color green was painted on the fingernail of the ring finger (Italy crushed Indonesia 19-5 but lost to the Czech Republic 21-20) to signify making the quarterfinals.'
Colors of Italy
TOE-TY Newborn had feet the size of a fingernail after being born 12 weeks early.
Tiniest of tots Manushi fights odds to survive
Fingernail involvement was more common than toenail involvement.
Correlation between clinical and mycological diagnosis of onychomycosis
Accidental poking of the eye with Fingernail induces corneal abrasions.
A clinical study of accidental fingernail injuries to the cornea in Alquwayiah General Hospital, Riyadh Region, KSA
AbbVie announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved the addition of data on adalimumab (Humira) for the treatment of moderate to severe fingernail psoriasis to the U.S.
Fingernail psoriasis data
M2 EQUITYBITES-March 31, 2017-Abbvie's HUMIRA gains US FDA approval to treat moderate to severe fingernail psoriasis
Abbvie's HUMIRA gains US FDA approval to treat moderate to severe fingernail psoriasis
M2 PHARMA-March 31, 2017-Abbvie's HUMIRA gains US FDA approval to treat moderate to severe fingernail psoriasis
Abbvie's HUMIRA gains US FDA approval to treat moderate to severe fingernail psoriasis