Butterflies, so to speak

NERVES

Think of the fluttery feeling you might get before a big presentation or performance—it’s not in your stomach, but it’s often described that way.

The phrase "butterflies, so to speak" hints at the fluttery feeling people get when nervous. Here, "butterflies" isn’t about insects—it’s a common idiom for the jittery sensation in your stomach before something stressful. The answer "NERVES" fits because it’s what causes that feeling, playing on the double meaning of physical nerves and emotional anxiety. The "so to speak" signals the clue is using figurative language.