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.
He jogged up the mountain and back, full of beans, showing off but also sharing his enthusiasm and demonstrating a skill that gave confidence that this 20-something conductor had the chops.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 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
She remembered her grandmother’s shelves lined with gleaming rows of giant jars full of beans and other vegetables, and the pressure cooker she used to fill them.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 21, 2020
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.
