live wire

American  

[lahyv] / laɪv /

noun

Informal.

1. an energetic, keenly alert person.

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live wire British  

/ laɪv /

noun

1. informal an energetic or enterprising person

2. a wire carrying an electric current

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live wire Idioms  

1. 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]

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Etymology

Origin of live wire

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

Tessa makes for a captivating protagonist, one who is resourceful and resilient, sardonic and defiant: “A live wire, always throwing off sparks,” in the words of one character.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The power to the pylon should have been switched off while the work was carried out because it was impossible to maintain a safe working distance from the live wire, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2024

The basement of a rowhouse in South Baltimore exploded Saturday morning due to the combustive combination of a live wire and leaking natural gas.

From Washington Times • Nov. 18, 2023

His No. 1 concern as he arrived, he said, was the live wire and the recruits laying on top of it.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2022

Her harebrained live wire of a daughter, the perpetual overreactor, prone to fits of furious indignation about nothing at all.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng