10 English idioms about excitement that are sure to cause a stir
- Have you been looking forward to something? These phrases are useful for showing just how eager you are
- We’ve also included a few sayings that can help you tell someone to calm down if their energy is a bit too much
Sometimes, you just get so pumped up that you feel like you’re bouncing off the walls. Photo: ShutterstockHave you been feeling excited about something lately? Perhaps, it’s the stellar line-up at the Clockenflap music festival or Taiwan’s reopening for Hong Kong visitors. Here are 10 English idioms you can use to express your excitement.
1. Ants in your pants
Meaning: to be so excited or impatient about something that you are unable to stay still
Example: Jamie has had ants in his pants ever since we bought tickets to the music festival.
2. Bounce off the walls
Meaning: to be so full of energy or so excited that you cannot keep still
Example: The children were bouncing off the walls as they made their way to Disneyland.
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3. Cause a stir
Meaning: to cause a bit of a commotion and create an atmosphere of excitement or great interest
Example: The arrival of the band Arctic Monkeys caused quite a stir in the audience.
4. Eager beaver
Meaning: an enthusiastic person who works hard
Example: There’s no need to be such an eager beaver; we have plenty of time to complete the assignment.
5. Hold your horses
Meaning: used to tell somebody that they should wait a moment and not be so excited that they take action without thinking about it first
Example: Hold your horses! We need to get our parents to agree first.
6. Dial back
Meaning: to reduce the intensity of something, or tone it down
Example: I could barely move my arms all week – I guess it’s time to dial back the workouts!
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7. Fever pitch
Meaning: a very high level of excitement or activity
Example: The crowd had been roused to a fever pitch by the drama of the game.
8. Lick your lips
Meaning: to show that you are excited about something and want it to happen soon
Example: He was licking his lips at the idea of all the money he was going to make.
9. Raring to go
Meaning: very eager to start doing something
Example: The kids can’t wait to go camping. They’re raring to go!
10. With bells on
Meaning: eager and full of enthusiasm about something
Example: Just tell me where the party is, and I’ll be there with bells on.