check for an air leak. Probably a large one, like the throttle body hoses not being fully seated. Use a mechanics mirror to view the underside of the hoses. Your symptoms definitely sound like a vacuum leak. Being able to keep the car idling by giving it gas is a key.
There is a writeup on how to make a tester in the FAQ>AutoFAQ section or you can buy one in the classifieds of this site.