Definition

Noun: - A very strong or irresistible impulse to travel; a feeling of restlessness and desire to move from one's current location and explore new places.

Usage

This noun phrase describes a specific type of restlessness characterized by a deep desire to travel or change one's surroundings. It is often used to explain a person's motivation for taking a trip or making a life change involving movement.

Examples

• After two years in the same city, she got itchy feet and decided to backpack across Asia.
• He said his itchy feet were the reason he quit his office job to become a freelance photographer on the road.
• I'm starting to get itchy feet; I think it's time for a vacation somewhere new.

Advanced Usage

• "To have itchy feet": This is the most common construction, used to state that someone is experiencing this impulse.
  • She's always had itchy feet, which is why she's visited over thirty countries.
• "To give someone itchy feet": Used to describe something that inspires this feeling in someone else.
  • Looking at all those travel photos online is giving me itchy feet.

Variants and Related Words

• Wanderlust (n): A strong desire to travel. While similar, "wanderlust" often has a more romantic or philosophical connotation, whereas "itchy feet" can imply a more physical, impatient restlessness.
• Restlessness (n): The inability to rest or be still, which is a core component of having "itchy feet."

Synonyms

• Travel bug
• Urge to roam
• Restlessness (in the context of travel)

Related Idioms

• "The travel bug": A very similar idiom meaning a strong passion or urge to travel.
  • He caught the travel bug after his first trip abroad.
• "To feel cooped up": To feel bored and restless from being confined to one place, which can lead to "itchy feet."
  • Working from home all winter made me feel cooped up and gave me itchy feet.

Noun

1. very strong or irresistible impulse to travel