Idioms are special phrases where the words together have a different meaning than the words do on their own. People use them to make conversation more colorful and fun by painting a picture with words. In this article, you will learn fifty different idioms that express the feeling of being very excited.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean thrilled or eager. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Excited
1. Walking on air
Definition: Feeling extremely happy, joyful, and excited.
Used in a Sentence: She felt like she was walking on air after winning the art contest. / He was walking on air when he found out his puppy was coming home today.
Similar Expressions: Over the moon / On top of the world
2. On pins and needles
Definition: Feeling nervous and excited while waiting for something to happen.
Used in a Sentence: The kids were on pins and needles waiting to open their birthday gifts. / We were on pins and needles before the big game started.
Similar Expressions: On the edge of your seat / Full of suspense
3. Jump for joy
Definition: To leap up into the air because you are so happy and excited.
Used in a Sentence: The little boy jumped for joy when he saw his favorite snack on the table. / The players jumped for joy when the referee blew the final whistle for a win.
Similar Expressions: Bursting with joy / Dancing for happiness
4. Have butterflies in your stomach
Definition: Feeling a fluttery mix of nerves and excitement inside your belly.
Used in a Sentence: She had butterflies in her stomach right before going on stage to sing. / He had butterflies in his stomach when the roller coaster began to climb.
Similar Expressions: Nerves and thrills / Jittery with excitement
5. Raring to go
Definition: Being very eager and ready to start an activity or adventure.
Used in a Sentence: The puppies were raring to go as soon as the park gate opened. / After a good night of sleep, the kids were raring to go on the hiking trip.
Similar Expressions: Eager as a beaver / Ready and willing
6. Pumped up
Definition: Feeling a burst of high energy and excitement before an event.
Used in a Sentence: The soccer team got pumped up by listening to loud music in the locker room. / I was so pumped up for the concert that I could barely sit still.
Similar Expressions: Super excited / Ready to rock
7. Full of beans
Definition: Having a lot of energy, lively spirit, and excitement.
Used in a Sentence: The toddlers were full of beans after eating their morning fruit snacks. / My little brother is always full of beans on Saturday mornings.
Similar Expressions: Full of life / Bursting with energy
8. All aglow
Definition: Shining with happiness, warmth, and bright excitement.
Used in a Sentence: Her face was all aglow when she saw her surprise party. / The children were all aglow with excitement near the holiday lights.
Similar Expressions: Radiant with joy / Glowing with happiness
9. Buzzing with excitement
Definition: Having a restless, vibrating feeling of high excitement inside.
Used in a Sentence: The classroom was buzzing with excitement on the last day of school. / He was buzzing with excitement before his trip to the amusement park.
Similar Expressions: Humming with energy / Thrumming with thrills
10. Glowing with pride
Definition: Showing deep happiness and bright excitement over an achievement.
Used in a Sentence: She was glowing with pride after finishing her difficult science project. / The parents were glowing with pride at the graduation ceremony.
Similar Expressions: Bursting with pride / Shining with joy
11. Thrilled to bits
Definition: Being extremely pleased, happy, and excited about something.
Used in a Sentence: Grandfather was thrilled to bits when he received the handmade card. / She was thrilled to bits to learn she made the soccer team.
Similar Expressions: Overjoyed and excited / Delighted to pieces
12. On cloud nine
Definition: Feeling a wonderful sense of extreme happiness and excitement.
Used in a Sentence: He was on cloud nine after hitting a home run in the championship game. / She felt like she was on cloud nine when she got her new bike.
Similar Expressions: In seventh heaven / Over the moon
13. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Definition: Looking lively, awake, eager, and full of excited energy.
Used in a Sentence: The campers were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed early in the morning. / Even after a long trip, she arrived bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Similar Expressions: Fresh and eager / Lively and ready
14. Breath taken away
Definition: Being so amazed and excited that you temporarily lose your voice.
Used in a Sentence: The beauty of the grand canyon left his breath taken away. / Her breath was taken away when she saw the huge birthday cake.
Similar Expressions: Astonished and thrilled / Stunned with delight
15. In high spirits
Definition: Having a cheerful, upbeat, and excited mood.
Used in a Sentence: The whole family was in high spirits during the holiday road trip. / He remained in high spirits even though his team lost.
Similar Expressions: Upbeat and cheerful / Joyful and lively
16. Champing at the bit
Definition: Being very impatient and eager to start something exciting.
Used in a Sentence: The horses were champing at the bit before the race began. / The kids were champing at the bit to open the playground gates.
Similar Expressions: Anxious to start / Eager to go
17. Electric atmosphere
Definition: A surrounding environment filled with strong, buzzing excitement.
Used in a Sentence: The stadium had an electric atmosphere before the final match. / There was an electric atmosphere in the theater as the curtains opened.
Similar Expressions: Charged environment / Buzzing room
18. Eyes light up
Definition: To show sudden excitement and joy on your face.
Used in a Sentence: His eyes light up every time someone mentions dinosaurs. / Her eyes light up whenever she sees a box of cookies.
Similar Expressions: Face beams / Expression glows
19. Excited beyond words
Definition: Feeling so much thrill that it is hard to speak.
Used in a Sentence: She was excited beyond words when she met her favorite author. / He was excited beyond words to adopt a rescue kitten.
Similar Expressions: Speechless with joy / Beyond thrilled
20. Ready to burst
Definition: Feeling so much excitement inside that you can barely hold it in.
Used in a Sentence: The children were ready to burst with news about the school play. / I was ready to burst with excitement keeping the secret gift.
Similar Expressions: Ready to pop / Overflowing with news
21. Walking on clouds
Definition: Floating on a happy, excited feeling high above the ground.
Used in a Sentence: She was walking on clouds after scoring the winning point. / He felt like he was walking on clouds during his vacation.
Similar Expressions: Floating on air / Gliding with joy
22. Tickled pink
Definition: Being very pleased, amused, and happily excited.
Used in a Sentence: Grandmother was tickled pink when all her grandchildren visited. / He was tickled pink to receive a nice letter from his friend.
Similar Expressions: Delighted and happy / Highly amused
23. Seeing stars
Definition: Feeling a dizzy, bright burst of excitement or wonder.
Used in a Sentence: The dazzling magic trick left the kids seeing stars. / She was seeing stars after winning the grand prize.
Similar Expressions: Dazzled with joy / Starstruck and happy
24. Full of steam
Definition: Moving fast with high energy and excited motivation.
Used in a Sentence: The team was full of steam during the second half of the game. / He stayed full of steam while building his Lego castle.
Similar Expressions: Charging forward / Driving with energy
25. Jumping out of your skin
Definition: Reacting with a sudden jolt of surprise and intense excitement.
Used in a Sentence: He was jumping out of his skin when his surprise guests arrived. / She felt like she was jumping out of her skin during the scary part of the movie.
Similar Expressions: Shaking with thrills / Jolt of excitement
26. Heart skipping a beat
Definition: Feeling a sudden rush of excitement or surprise in your chest.
Used in a Sentence: Her heart skipped a beat when her name was called for the award. / My heart skipped a beat when the puppy ran up to me.
Similar Expressions: Heart fluttering / Rush of emotion
27. On fire
Definition: Performing with amazing energy, passion, and excitement.
Used in a Sentence: The basketball player was on fire during the third quarter. / She was on fire with creativity while painting her mural.
Similar Expressions: Blazing with energy / Unstoppable and thrilled
28. Caught up in the moment
Definition: Swept away by the fun and excitement happening right now.
Used in a Sentence: They got caught up in the moment and started dancing in the rain. / He was so caught up in the moment that he forgot to check the time.
Similar Expressions: Swept away / Lost in the fun
29. Thrill seeker
Definition: Someone who loves looking for exciting and adventurous activities.
Used in a Sentence: My brother is a thrill seeker who loves riding the biggest roller coasters. / She is a thrill seeker who enjoys white water rafting.
Similar Expressions: Adventure lover / Excitement chaser
30. Wild with excitement
Definition: Behaving in a very lively, energetic, and joyous way.
Used in a Sentence: The puppy was wild with excitement when his owner grabbed the leash. / The children were wild with excitement during the magic show.
Similar Expressions: Crazy with joy / Frenzied with fun
31. Eating up the attention
Definition: Enjoying every second of praise and excited applause.
Used in a Sentence: The talented puppy was eating up the attention from the crowd. / She was eating up the attention after telling a funny joke.
Similar Expressions: Relishing the spotlight / Loving the cheers
32. Ready for action
Definition: Prepared and eager to jump into an exciting project.
Used in a Sentence: The superhero action figures were lined up and ready for action. / The volunteers were ready for action at the community garden.
Similar Expressions: Prepared and willing / Set to go
33. On a high
Definition: Enjoying a continuous feeling of great happiness and excitement.
Used in a Sentence: The whole cast was on a high after a successful school play. / He stayed on a high for days after winning the spelling bee.
Similar Expressions: Riding high / Feeling fantastic
34. Bouncing off the walls
Definition: Having so much excited energy that you cannot stay still.
Used in a Sentence: The kids were bouncing off the walls after eating too much candy. / My little sister was bouncing off the walls before our trip to the zoo.
Similar Expressions: Full of beans / Hyper and restless
35. Over the moon
Definition: Extremely happy and thrilled about a wonderful event.
Used in a Sentence: He was over the moon when he got a new bicycle for his birthday. / She was over the moon about joining the science club.
Similar Expressions: Thrilled to pieces / Overjoyed
36. Hearts pounding
Definition: Feeling your chest beat fast because of intense excitement.
Used in a Sentence: Their hearts were pounding as they waited for the race to start. / My heart was pounding when I walked up to the microphone.
Similar Expressions: Racing pulse / Thumping heart
37. Living life to the fullest
Definition: Enjoying every exciting experience with passion and joy.
Used in a Sentence: My grandmother is always trying new hobbies and living life to the fullest. / He spends his weekends camping and living life to the fullest.
Similar Expressions: Embracing adventure / Enjoying every moment
38. In seventh heaven
Definition: Experiencing complete bliss, happiness, and high excitement.
Used in a Sentence: She was in seventh heaven eating her favorite chocolate ice cream. / He was in seventh heaven surrounded by all his comic books.
Similar Expressions: Pure bliss / Utterly joyful
39. Eyes wide with wonder
Definition: Looking at something amazing with excited, open eyes.
Used in a Sentence: The toddlers stood with eyes wide with wonder at the aquarium. / Her eyes were wide with wonder during the fireworks show.
Similar Expressions: Amazed and thrilled / Staring in awe
40. Full steam ahead
Definition: Moving forward with powerful energy and eager excitement.
Used in a Sentence: It was full steam ahead on our school science project. / The team went full steam ahead with their charity bake sale.
Similar Expressions: Moving fast / Charging ahead
41. All fired up
Definition: Ready, motivated, and excited to tackle a task.
Used in a Sentence: The coach got the players all fired up before the second half. / She was all fired up to clean out her messy bedroom.
Similar Expressions: Motivated and eager / Raring to go
42. Punch-drunk with joy
Definition: Feeling so overwhelmingly happy and excited that you feel a bit dizzy.
Used in a Sentence: The winners were punch-drunk with joy after the championship match. / She was punch-drunk with joy when her puppy finally learned to sit.
Similar Expressions: Dizzy with happiness / Overwhelmed with glee
43. Trembling with anticipation
Definition: Shaking slightly because you are so excitedly waiting for something.
Used in a Sentence: He was trembling with anticipation before unwrapping his present. / She was trembling with anticipation as the curtain went up.
Similar Expressions: Quivering with excitement / Shaking with thrills
44. Ready to rock and roll
Definition: Fully prepared and enthusiastic to begin an exciting activity.
Used in a Sentence: The band checked their instruments and were ready to rock and roll. / With our backpacks packed, we were ready to rock and roll.
Similar Expressions: Set to go / Fully prepared
45. Having a ball
Definition: Having a wonderful time filled with fun and excitement.
Used in a Sentence: The children were having a ball playing tag in the backyard. / We were having a ball at the community summer festival.
Similar Expressions: Having a blast / Enjoying immensely
46. Grinning from ear to ear
Definition: Smiling very widely because you are so happy and excited.
Used in a Sentence: He was grinning from ear to ear when he scored a goal. / She walked out of the store grinning from ear to ear with her new toy.
Similar Expressions: Smiling broadly / Beaming with joy
47. Walking on sunshine
Definition: Feeling bright, cheerful, and full of joyful excitement.
Used in a Sentence: He felt like he was walking on sunshine after getting an A on his test. / She was walking on sunshine all day during the field trip.
Similar Expressions: Radiating joy / Cheerful and upbeat
48. Ready to leap out of your seat
Definition: Being so excited that you want to jump up immediately.
Used in a Sentence: The dramatic ending of the movie had everyone ready to leap out of their seats. / I was ready to leap out of my seat when my name was called.
Similar Expressions: Eager to stand / Jumping with suspense
49. In a flutter
Definition: Experiencing a nervous, fluttering excitement in your chest or mind.
Used in a Sentence: Her heart was in a flutter when she met her favorite sports star. / The whole group was in a flutter before the talent show.
Similar Expressions: Fluttering nerves / Excited flutter
50. Buzzing with energy
Definition: Having a lively, vibrating feeling of eager excitement.
Used in a Sentence: The science fair was buzzing with energy as judges walked around. / He was buzzing with energy after drinking a fruit smoothie.
Similar Expressions: Humming with life / Vibrant and active
Exercise to Practice
- The toddler was bouncing off the walls after eating a huge bowl of vegetables.
- She felt like she was walking on air after winning the spelling bee.
- The puppy was raring to go as soon as the front door opened for our morning walk.
- He was on pins and needles while waiting to hear the results of his art contest.
- The students were jumping for joy when the teacher announced there was no homework.
- She had butterflies in her stomach while taking a nap on the sofa.
- My little brother is always full of beans on Saturday mornings and loves to run outside.
- The audience sat quietly with an electric atmosphere during the library reading hour.
- Grandmother was tickled pink when all her grandchildren visited for the weekend.
- He was grinning from ear to ear after getting his favorite flavor of ice cream.
- The team got pumped up by whispering quietly in the dark library.
- She was over the moon about joining the school robotics club.
- The children were wild with excitement when the ice cream truck parked outside.
- He was trembling with anticipation while calmly sleeping through the night.
- The band checked their instruments and were ready to rock and roll for the concert.
Answer Key
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning idioms about excitement helps you describe your feelings in colorful and creative ways. Instead of just saying you are happy, you can use these fun phrases to paint a clear picture for your listeners.
Try using one of these new expressions the next time you are looking forward to a fun event or activity. Sharing your excitement with catchy phrases makes conversations much more enjoyable for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for excited?
Some popular idioms include walking on air, over the moon, and bouncing off the walls. These phrases help show just how much joy and energy you are feeling.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms make our language more expressive and interesting by using figurative language instead of plain words. They allow us to share feelings like excitement in creative ways.
How can I practice using idioms?
You can practice by picking one new idiom each day and using it in a sentence while talking to friends or family. Writing short stories or journaling is also a great way to remember them.
Are idioms difficult to learn?
They can be tricky at first because you cannot always guess their meaning just by looking at the individual words. However, learning them in context makes them much easier to understand and remember.
Can I use these idioms in school writing?
Yes, using these idioms can make your stories and descriptions much more engaging and fun to read. Just make sure to use them correctly so your meaning is clear to your teacher and classmates.
