happy as a clam

[hap-ee uhz uh klam]

idiom

1. extremely pleased and content.

   The dog was stressed, but I gave her a new toy and now she's happy as a clam.

Word History and Origins

Origin of happy as a clam¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

A bouquet of red roses “will be dead within a week, while this,” — he gently shook a pot of plump Winter Rose blooms — “will still be there, happy as a clam. But people looked at the plant and said, ‘Oh, that’s a poinsettia,’ and walked on.

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Recent developments, Mr. Blinder said, are consistent with his view that a soft landing is possible — “I’m happy as a clam,” he said — but he said such an outcome is far from certain.

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“Once I get Mittens back, I’ll be as happy as a clam, and my life can get back to normal. I just need my baby back.”

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“I would love to have that kind of career. If I could have Martin Balsam’s career, I’d be happy as a clam.”

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The phrase happy as a clam is generally believed to have begun as happy as a clam at high tide.

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Related Words

• delighted 
• elated 
• euphoric 
• jubilant 
• thrilled