Idioms for excitement add a spark to language, capturing the thrill and energy behind powerful emotions. Learning these idioms can completely transform your English, adding a vibrant, expressive twist to your words that goes far beyond literal meanings.
When ordinary words don’t fully capture the feelings of excitement, these energetic expressions step in to do the job. Whether you’re “over the moon” with joy or “buzzing with energy,” these idioms help convey emotions like anticipation, thrill, and elation in ways that truly connect.
List of Energetic 33 Idioms for Excitement
Exploring idioms allows us to add zest to our speech, capturing various emotions with flair. Here are 33 idioms for excitement that showcase feelings from pure happiness to spirited enthusiasm. Each phrase carries unique meanings, enriching the English language with vibrant expressions.
Popular Idioms for Extreme Happiness
Popular idioms for extreme happiness capture the essence of joy in creative and vivid ways. These phrases, like “on cloud nine” or “over the moon,” convey deep feelings of delight and elation, adding color to everyday conversations.
Idiom | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Over the Moon | Extremely happy or pleased | She was over the moon about the surprise party. |
Tickled Pink | Very pleased or amused | He was tickled pink by his birthday surprise. |
Happy as a Clam | Perfectly content | She’s happy as a clam with her new garden. |
Walking on Air | Feeling elated or ecstatic | After the promotion, he felt like he was walking on air. |
Happy as a Lark | Extremely happy and carefree | She’s been happy as a lark since she moved to the coast. |
In Seventh Heaven | In a state of bliss | Winning the award put her in seventh heaven. |
Overjoyed | Extremely happy | He was overjoyed with the news of his promotion. |
On Cloud Nine | Extremely happy | She was on cloud nine when she heard the news. |
Thrilled to Bits | Extremely pleased or excited | He was thrilled to bits about the opportunity. |
Thrilled to the Core | Deeply excited | He was thrilled to the core by the concert’s success. |
Idioms for High Energy and Enthusiasm
Idioms for high energy and enthusiasm express the lively spirit and excitement of being fully engaged in an activity or moment. Phrases such as “full of beans” and “buzzing with energy” convey a sense of eagerness and vitality, making conversations more dynamic and vibrant.
Idiom | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Full of Beans | Very energetic and lively | Kids are often full of beans after lunch. |
Eager Beaver | Very enthusiastic or hard-working person | She’s such an eager beaver with every project. |
Raring to Go | Extremely eager to start something | He’s been raring to go since he signed up for the marathon. |
Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed | Fresh, enthusiastic, ready to go | She was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for her first day at work. |
Buzzing with Energy | Extremely lively or energetic | The crowd was buzzing with energy at the concert. |
Pumped Up | Filled with excitement | The team was pumped up for the big game. |
Be All Fired Up | Extremely motivated or excited | He’s all fired up for his new project. |
Sky-High Spirits | Very enthusiastic and excited | The news had everyone’s spirits sky-high. |
Make My Day | Greatly please or excite someone | Seeing the surprise made her day. |
Go Through the Roof | Become extremely excited or angry | When she heard the news, her excitement went through the roof. |
Expressions of Anticipation and Joyful Surprise
Expressions of anticipation and joyful surprise capture the thrill of expecting something wonderful or experiencing an unexpected delight. Phrases like “on the edge of one’s seat” and “lick your lips” convey a sense of eager expectation, making them perfect for expressing the joy that comes with waiting for exciting news or events.
Idiom | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
On the Edge of My Seat | Waiting in suspense, very excited | The movie kept me on the edge of my seat till the end. |
Jump Out of My Skin | Shocked or surprised with excitement | I almost jumped out of my skin when I won the prize! |
Lick Your Lips | Anticipate eagerly, often with excitement | The audience licked their lips in anticipation of the performance. |
Hold Your Horses | Wait or slow down | Hold your horses! Let’s think this through. |
Fling Yourself Into Something | Immerse yourself completely | He flung himself into his new job with passion. |
Jump for Joy | To be extremely happy | I could just jump for joy at the news! |
Get a Kick Out of Something | Find enjoyment in something | She gets a real kick out of seeing others succeed. |
Wild with Delight | Extremely pleased or joyful | They were wild with delight after winning. |
In a Flutter | Nervous excitement | She was in a flutter before her presentation. |
Ecstatic | Overwhelmed with happiness | He was ecstatic to receive the award. |
These expressions of excitement help communicate feelings clearly and with style. By using these phrases, we bring joyful words to life, making conversations more enjoyable.
Detailed Explanation of Selected Idioms for Excitement
Understanding idioms allows us to appreciate not only their meaning but also their unique background and vivid imagery. Let’s dive into five of these idioms to see how they colorfully capture emotions.
Over the Moon
This idiom means to be extremely happy or delighted. Its origins trace back to the 16th-century nursery rhyme, “Hey Diddle Diddle,” where the cow jumps over the moon in a moment of joyful absurdity. When someone is “over the moon,” they are expressing pure joy or happiness, often about good news or a recent success. For example, “She was over the moon when she won the art contest.”
Full of Beans
Used to describe someone who is lively and energetic, full of beans likely originated in the 19th century, referring to the high energy levels of animals that had been fed beans as part of their diet. Today, it’s often used to describe someone who is bursting with energy, especially children. An example sentence might be, “The kids were full of beans after their weekend at the amusement park.”
On Cloud Nine
This phrase describes a state of extreme happiness, as if floating on a cloud. The expression’s exact origin is uncertain, though it likely stems from a classification of cloud types in the 1950s where Cloud Nine represented one of the tallest and most majestic clouds. Someone “on cloud nine” is in a state of blissful happiness. For instance, “She’s on cloud nine after her engagement.”
Raring to Go
If someone is “raring to go,” they’re enthusiastic and fully prepared to begin an activity or task. This idiom came from the dialect word “rare,” meaning eager or excited. It describes a feeling of being highly motivated, as in “He’s been raring to go ever since he joined the team.”
Tickled Pink
This idiom, which means extremely pleased or amused, has its roots in the early 20th century. When people feel excited or joyful, their faces might flush pink. To be “tickled pink” suggests that something has brought you great happiness or delight. For example, “I was tickled pink to receive the invitation.”
Idioms of Anticipation and Build-Up
Anticipation heightens the thrill of a moment, whether it’s waiting for a big event or a simple get-together. In these moments, expressions like “On the edge of my seat” and “Ants in my pants” capture the excitement of waiting.
On the edge of my seat conveys suspense and eagerness, ideal for describing moments filled with excitement. When someone says they’re “on the edge of their seat,” they’re completely absorbed, feeling every twist and turn with heightened interest.
Idioms Expressing Extreme Joy and Delight
Certain idioms perfectly encapsulate moments of pure joy. Terms like “Over the moon” or “Tickled pink” illustrate intense happiness and pleasure. For example, if someone feels “over the moon,” they are ecstatic and deeply thrilled. Similarly, “Tickled pink” describes moments when we’re so happy that it’s almost contagious.
Feeling this type of extreme happiness often creates a special connection, whether celebrating achievements or enjoying special occasions.
Idioms Related to Surprise and Amazement
Unexpected moments often bring out the best feelings of excitement. Expressions such as “Jump out of my skin” capture the thrilling element of surprise. When you feel you’re about to “jump out of your skin,” it shows how shocked or thrilled you are. This idiom fits perfectly with moments that bring unexpected joy or astonishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an idiom for excited?
An idiom for excited is “on cloud nine,” which means feeling extremely happy and elated.
What is a phrase to express excitement?
A common phrase to express excitement is “over the moon,” indicating a state of great joy or enthusiasm about something.
What is the idiom for “very happy and excited”?
The idiom “jumping for joy” describes someone who is very happy and excited, often conveying the image of someone literally leaping with delight.
What is the idiom for feeling energetic?
The idiom “full of beans” refers to someone who is lively and energetic, suggesting they have plenty of enthusiasm and vigor.
Conclusion
Idioms for excitement provide a powerful way to express emotions that go beyond literal words. By using these expressions, we don’t just tell others how we feel – we show them. Whether you’re “on cloud nine” or simply “full of beans,” these idioms transform everyday conversations, adding flavor and excitement to language. So, the next time you’re thrilled, try using one of these idioms, and watch how your language becomes more engaging, lively, and authentic.
Ava Rose, the creator of PhrasesPulse, is an expert in English grammar with years of experience. She is dedicated to simplifying complex grammar rules and exploring the richness of English phrases. Through her insightful posts, Ava aims to help learners of all levels enhance their understanding of the language and communicate more effectively. Her passion is making grammar approachable and enjoyable for everyone.