The phrase "wast on pins and needles" is a common English idiom meaning to be anxious or uneasy. The word "wast" is an archaic form of "were" and is pronounced as /wɑːst/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The phrase "on pins and needles" means to be in a state of extreme suspense or nervousness, with the word "needles" being pronounced as /ˈniːdəlz/. This phrase is often used to describe the feeling of anticipation before an important event or decision.