full of beans
Idioms-
Lively, energetic, in high spirits, as in The children were full of beans today, looking forward to their field trip . This expression has no valid explanation. [c. 1840]
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Also, full of prunes . Acting foolish, talking nonsense, as in One cup of coffee won't hurt you—you're full of prunes . [c. 1930] Also see full of crap .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The singer is always like this – bright eyed, bushy tailed, full of beans before breakfast - but at Glastonbury, he had an extra spring in his step.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025
The first time full of beans that revived it for good.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2025
“I’ve had a hip replacement but I’m full of beans and I’m full of zest, but this is just a prompter to say ‘come on you’ve got more to do now’,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 10, 2021
Campanaerts has another bash off the front, he is looking full of beans and ready to take this on.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 26, 2021
They’re rambunctious, they’re full of beans; they’re tough as thirteen, they’re innocent and dirty, they don’t give a hoot.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
