Sometimes, we feel really happy or full of energy. We might jump up and down or smile a lot. When this happens, people say fun phrases to show how excited they are. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean what the words sound like. They have special meanings.
In this article, we will learn some idioms that people use when they feel excited. These phrases can help make talking or writing more fun. You may have heard some before, or they may be new to you. Either way, they can help you say how you feel in a fun way.
Idioms for Being Excited
1. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy or excited.
To Provide an Example: I was on cloud nine when I got a puppy. / She was on cloud nine after her birthday party.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling really good. / Super happy inside.
2. Over the moon
Meaning: Extremely excited.
To Provide an Example: He was over the moon after winning the spelling bee. / We were over the moon when school was canceled.
Alternative Meaning: So happy it’s hard to stay still. / Feeling joy like flying high.
3. Jumping for joy
Meaning: Showing excitement by moving around.
To Provide an Example: She was jumping for joy when her cousins came to visit. / He started jumping for joy when he saw the ice cream truck.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t stay still because of happiness. / Very, very happy.
4. Walking on air
Meaning: Feeling very happy or light.
To Provide an Example: I felt like I was walking on air after the class party. / She was walking on air after making a new friend.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling good all over. / Floating with joy.
5. Tickled pink
Meaning: Pleased and excited.
To Provide an Example: He was tickled pink when he got his favorite toy. / I was tickled pink after Grandma called me.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling really pleased. / A happy surprise feeling.
6. In high spirits
Meaning: Feeling cheerful and happy.
To Provide an Example: We were in high spirits before the school trip. / She was in high spirits after her team won.
Alternative Meaning: Cheerful mood. / Feeling full of joy.
7. Full of beans
Meaning: Very lively and excited.
To Provide an Example: He was full of beans on the first day of summer break. / She was full of beans before the game started.
Alternative Meaning: Full of energy. / Bouncing with joy.
8. Happy as a clam
Meaning: Very happy and content.
To Provide an Example: I was happy as a clam playing in the sand. / He’s happy as a clam when he reads his comic books.
Alternative Meaning: Peacefully happy. / Smiling inside and out.
9. Like a kid in a candy store
Meaning: Very excited about many fun things.
To Provide an Example: She was like a kid in a candy store at the toy shop. / He was like a kid in a candy store at the fair.
Alternative Meaning: Too excited to choose. / Loving everything around.
10. Grinning from ear to ear
Meaning: Smiling a big, happy smile.
To Provide an Example: He was grinning from ear to ear after the school play. / I was grinning from ear to ear when I saw my best friend.
Alternative Meaning: Very happy smile. / Joy you can see.
11. Buzzing with excitement
Meaning: Feeling very excited and full of energy.
To Provide an Example: The kids were buzzing with excitement before the field trip. / I was buzzing with excitement to see my cousins.
Alternative Meaning: Full of happy energy. / Feeling ready for fun.
12. Can’t wait
Meaning: Very excited for something to happen.
To Provide an Example: I can’t wait for the school carnival. / She can’t wait to open her presents.
Alternative Meaning: Too excited to stay calm. / Wishing time would go faster.
13. Bursting with joy
Meaning: Feeling so happy, like it’s hard to hold it in.
To Provide an Example: He was bursting with joy when he saw the balloons. / I was bursting with joy after I saw my name on the prize list.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling full of happiness. / Smiling so big inside.
14. All smiles
Meaning: Smiling a lot because you are happy.
To Provide an Example: She was all smiles at her birthday party. / He was all smiles when he saw the cake.
Alternative Meaning: Looking really happy. / Can’t stop smiling.
15. Pumped up
Meaning: Very excited and ready for something fun.
To Provide an Example: He was pumped up before the soccer game. / I was pumped up for the movie night.
Alternative Meaning: Full of energy. / Ready to have fun.
16. On fire
Meaning: Doing really well and feeling excited.
To Provide an Example: She was on fire during the spelling game. / I was on fire when I got all the answers right.
Alternative Meaning: Doing great. / Feeling proud and excited.
17. Gleaming with joy
Meaning: Looking bright and happy.
To Provide an Example: Her eyes were gleaming with joy when she saw the puppy. / He was gleaming with joy after getting a gold star.
Alternative Meaning: Eyes or face shining with happiness. / Looking very cheerful.
18. Glowing with happiness
Meaning: Looking bright and full of joy.
To Provide an Example: Mom was glowing with happiness when we surprised her. / He was glowing with happiness after getting a good grade.
Alternative Meaning: Looking proud and joyful. / Bright with feelings.
19. All lit up
Meaning: Face or eyes showing happiness.
To Provide an Example: Her face lit up when she saw her friends. / His eyes were all lit up when the fireworks started.
Alternative Meaning: Bright and joyful look. / Excited inside and outside.
20. Heart skipped a beat
Meaning: Feeling a big happy surprise.
To Provide an Example: My heart skipped a beat when I saw my new bike. / Her heart skipped a beat when Dad picked her up early.
Alternative Meaning: Quick surprise of joy. / So happy it feels funny.
21. Can’t stop smiling
Meaning: Smiling all the time because of happiness.
To Provide an Example: She couldn’t stop smiling after winning the prize. / I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw my drawing on the wall.
Alternative Meaning: Too happy to hide it. / Smiles keep coming.
22. Shining with happiness
Meaning: Looking bright and joyful.
To Provide an Example: He was shining with happiness after recess. / She was shining with happiness during the play.
Alternative Meaning: Joy that you can see. / Glowing with good feelings.
23. Beaming with pride
Meaning: Smiling proudly because something went well.
To Provide an Example: She was beaming with pride after helping the teacher. / He was beaming with pride when he showed his art.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling proud and happy. / Smiling because you did great.
24. Thrilled to bits
Meaning: Very, very excited.
To Provide an Example: I was thrilled to bits when I got my favorite book. / He was thrilled to bits after the fun ride.
Alternative Meaning: Overjoyed. / So happy it feels like a party inside.
25. Screaming with joy
Meaning: So happy that you yell or cheer.
To Provide an Example: The kids were screaming with joy at the water park. / I was screaming with joy when I saw my best friend.
Alternative Meaning: Cheering because of excitement. / Yelling in a good way.
26. Eager beaver
Meaning: Very excited and ready to do something.
To Provide an Example: She was an eager beaver on the first day of school. / He was an eager beaver when it was time for the game.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t wait to begin. / Excited and ready.
27. Excited as ever
Meaning: Feeling the most excited you can.
To Provide an Example: He was excited as ever before his birthday. / I was excited as ever to wear my costume.
Alternative Meaning: Super excited. / Feeling full of joy.
28. Giddy with excitement
Meaning: Feeling so happy you almost feel silly.
To Provide an Example: We were giddy with excitement before the concert. / She was giddy with excitement when the music started.
Alternative Meaning: Happy and giggly. / Bouncing with feelings.
29. High as a kite
Meaning: Feeling very joyful and excited.
To Provide an Example: He was high as a kite after the last school bell. / I was high as a kite when I saw the parade.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling like flying with joy. / Very light and excited.
30. Dancing on air
Meaning: Feeling very happy, like you are floating.
To Provide an Example: She was dancing on air after getting a star sticker. / He was dancing on air when the teacher praised him.
Alternative Meaning: So happy it feels like floating. / Light and joyful.
31. Blown away
Meaning: Very surprised and happy.
To Provide an Example: I was blown away when I saw the huge cake. / She was blown away by the magic trick.
Alternative Meaning: So surprised in a fun way. / Excited and amazed.
32. Got the giggles
Meaning: Laughing because you’re happy or excited.
To Provide an Example: We got the giggles during the funny movie. / She got the giggles when her brother made silly faces.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t stop laughing. / Laughing from joy.
33. Buzzing inside
Meaning: Feeling lots of happy energy.
To Provide an Example: He was buzzing inside before the game started. / I was buzzing inside when we planned a sleepover.
Alternative Meaning: Excited feelings you can’t see. / Joy building up.
34. Smiling like sunshine
Meaning: Smiling big because you feel good.
To Provide an Example: She was smiling like sunshine after recess. / He was smiling like sunshine on his birthday.
Alternative Meaning: Bright and cheerful. / Joy in your smile.
35. Like fireworks inside
Meaning: Feeling super excited and bubbly.
To Provide an Example: I felt like fireworks inside when I saw my gift. / She felt like fireworks inside before the party.
Alternative Meaning: Big joy feelings. / Bursting with happy thoughts.
36. Can’t sit still
Meaning: Too excited to stay in one place.
To Provide an Example: He couldn’t sit still before the talent show. / I couldn’t sit still while waiting for my turn.
Alternative Meaning: Wiggly from excitement. / Full of fun energy.
37. Like a balloon ready to pop
Meaning: Feeling full of excitement.
To Provide an Example: She felt like a balloon ready to pop before her dance. / I felt like a balloon ready to pop when the bell rang.
Alternative Meaning: Too excited to hold in. / Joy all built up.
38. Yelling with glee
Meaning: Shouting because you’re happy.
To Provide an Example: We were yelling with glee when we won the game. / She was yelling with glee when the ice cream came.
Alternative Meaning: Happy cheering. / Excited shouting.
39. Hopping with joy
Meaning: Moving because you’re very happy.
To Provide an Example: She was hopping with joy when she saw the bunny. / He was hopping with joy at the petting zoo.
Alternative Meaning: Can’t stay still. / Jumping from happiness.
40. Ready to explode (in a good way)
Meaning: So full of joy it feels big.
To Provide an Example: I was ready to explode with excitement before the show. / He was ready to explode when he opened the big gift.
Alternative Meaning: Full of happy feelings. / Like a joy burst.
41. Wide-eyed with wonder
Meaning: Eyes open wide from surprise and joy.
To Provide an Example: She was wide-eyed with wonder at the zoo. / He was wide-eyed with wonder during the fireworks.
Alternative Meaning: Surprised and amazed. / Full of joy and awe.
42. Like a rocket taking off
Meaning: Suddenly full of excitement and energy.
To Provide an Example: He was like a rocket taking off when the game started. / I was like a rocket taking off when recess began.
Alternative Meaning: Sudden joy. / Energy bursting out.
43. Giggly and glad
Meaning: Laughing and feeling happy.
To Provide an Example: I was giggly and glad at the sleepover. / She was giggly and glad after the silly story.
Alternative Meaning: Full of laughter. / Joyful and fun.
44. Sparkling with joy
Meaning: Looking bright and happy.
To Provide an Example: Her eyes were sparkling with joy at the play. / He was sparkling with joy after winning the prize.
Alternative Meaning: Joy you can see. / Excited and glowing.
45. Too happy for words
Meaning: So happy you don’t know what to say.
To Provide an Example: I was too happy for words when Mom surprised me. / He was too happy for words when his team won.
Alternative Meaning: Joy too big to speak. / Can’t explain the feeling.
46. Feeling fizzy
Meaning: Feeling bubbly and excited inside.
To Provide an Example: She felt fizzy before her dance recital. / I felt fizzy when we opened our party bags.
Alternative Meaning: Happy and bouncy inside. / Tingly joy feeling.
47. Eyes lit up
Meaning: Eyes shine from being excited.
To Provide an Example: His eyes lit up when he saw the toy store. / Her eyes lit up at the magic show.
Alternative Meaning: Joy that shows in your eyes. / Bright with happiness.
48. Skipping with joy
Meaning: Skipping around because you’re happy.
To Provide an Example: She was skipping with joy after getting a treat. / I was skipping with joy on the last day of school.
Alternative Meaning: Moving with joy. / Can’t stop smiling and moving.
49. Shouting hooray
Meaning: Yelling from being happy.
To Provide an Example: We were shouting hooray when we won the game. / He was shouting hooray after the surprise.
Alternative Meaning: Loud joy. / Happy cheers.
50. Like sunshine inside
Meaning: Feeling warm and happy.
To Provide an Example: I felt like sunshine inside when my friend shared her snack. / She felt like sunshine inside when her drawing was picked.
Alternative Meaning: Warm, happy feeling. / Joy that fills you up.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Being Excited
- When I saw the snow outside, I felt like I was __________.
- My brother was __________ when he opened his birthday present.
- I was __________ when the teacher picked me to lead the line.
- After the movie, my sister was __________ and couldn’t stop smiling.
- We were __________ before the field trip to the zoo.
- When I saw the big roller coaster, I was __________.
- Dad was __________ when he found his lost keys.
- I was __________ when I got my first library card.
- My eyes __________ when I saw the new puppy.
- We were __________ after winning the class game.
- I was __________ when Grandma said she was coming to visit.
- My cousin was __________ when she saw the fireworks.
- After my drawing won first place, I was __________.
- When I heard we were having a pizza party, I was __________.
- My little brother was __________ running to the playground.
Answer Key
- on cloud nine
- over the moon
- full of beans
- all smiles
- buzzing with excitement
- blown away
- tickled pink
- happy as a clam
- lit up
- shouting hooray
- thrilled to bits
- wide-eyed with wonder
- beaming with pride
- can’t sit still
- hopping with joy
Conclusion
Idioms help us say how we feel in a fun way. When we are excited, we don’t always have to say “I’m happy.” We can use special phrases like “on cloud nine” or “jumping for joy.”
Now that you know some of these phrases, try using them when you feel excited. They make your words more interesting and clear. You might even hear grown-ups using them too.
