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
She said she remembers Daniel as "an enigma, full of beans, full of life, from the day he was born just kind, caring, generous, loved by everybody."
From BBC • May 31, 2023
“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
From somewhere or other, probably the pioneer-cook-house, Kropp has bagged for himself a mess-tin full of beans.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
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.
