live wire

[ lahyv ]

noun

, Informal.

1. an energetic, keenly alert person.

live wire

/ laɪv /

noun

1. informal.
   an energetic or enterprising person
2. a wire carrying an electric current

Word History and Origins

Origin of live wire¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Idioms and Phrases

A highly alert or energetic person. For example, Sally's a real live wire; she brightens up any gathering . This metaphoric term transfers a wire carrying electric current to a lively individual. [c. 1900]

Example Sentences

I can’t say I’ve ever found Elgort too memorable except in Baby Driver, where he’s a live wire and beautifully light on his feet.

From Vox

He's a live wire, Laurence: very, very intelligent and he can keep a whole unit bubbling along.

From The Daily Beast

A live wire had connected with the metal bars of the house, and the electric shock was burning Lysondya's leg.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, we are told he even demonstrated the deadly effect of a live wire by killing a turkey on the other side of the river!

From Project Gutenberg

In the parlance of the present day, he is a live wire, or in other words he has the dynamic force which makes things move.

From Project Gutenberg

Dangerous work, as they came to realize after Constans had narrowly escaped being burned by contact with a live wire.

From Project Gutenberg

The black wire is the hot side, the live wire, because it carries the full load of the battery up to the bulb.

From Project Gutenberg

The strong thought of self is inevitably insulatingit is as restrictive of human contact as a live wire.

From Project Gutenberg