English

Verb

walk the floor

1. (idiomatic) To pace back and forth restlessly, because of worry, excitement, distress, etc.
   • 1875, T. S. Arthur, Danger; or, Wounded in the House of a Friend, ch. 3:

     "How wildly you talk, Margaret!" exclaimed Mr. Birtwell, with increased irritation. . . . Mr. Birtwell started to his feet and walked the floor with considerable excitement.

   • 1913, Kathleen Norris, "Rising Water" in Poor Dear Margaret Kirby and other Stories:

     "Oh—this is terrible!" she broke out frantically—and she began to walk the floor.

   • 1941, Ernest Tubb, "Walking the Floor Over You" (song):

     You left me and you went away

     . . .

     I'm walking the floor over you

     I can't sleep a wink that is true

     I'm hoping and I'm praying as my heart breaks right in two

     Walking the floor over you

   • 1998, Linda O. McMurry, To Keep the Waters Troubled, ISBN 0195088123, ch. 1 (excerpt at nytimes.com):

     Ida . . . remembered the "anxious way my mother walked the floor at night when my father was out to a political meeting."

   • 2015, Brenda Novak, Whiskey Creek Series Volume One, ISBN 9781460383629, ch. 7 (Google preview):

     If Kyle felt half as torn about his upcoming marriage as Brandon suspected, he might walk the floor all night.