To show impatience or frustration when delayed.

Examples

"I am so excited for the next Star Wars movie. I am champing at the bit to go see it"

Etymology

From champ (verb) (“to chew noisily”) + bit (“part of horse's harness held in its mouth”); horses tend to chew on their bits when impatient at waiting.

Alternate Forms

• Champing at the bit
• Chomping at the bit

Sources

Wiktionary