Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
full of beans. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
full of beans, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
full of beans in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
full of beans you have here. The definition of the word
full of beans will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
full of beans, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
Attested since the 1840s. Possibly a reference to coffee beans. Attributed to Robert Strang.[1]
Adjective
full of beans (comparative more full of beans, superlative most full of beans)
- (idiomatic) Energetic and enthusiastic.
- Synonyms: feeling one's oats, full of piss and vinegar
1919, P. G. Wodehouse, “The Aunt and the Sluggard”, in My Man Jeeves:"What do you mean by the expression 'Bucks you up'?"
"Well, makes you full of beans, you know. Makes you fizz."
"I don't understand a word you say. You're English, aren't you?"
2006 September 6, Karen Thomas, Lindsey Arkley, “World mourns 'Crocodile Hunter'”, in USA Today, retrieved 6 Nov. 2008:Irwin's friend Chris White reflected on a friendship that began in 1975. . . . "Full of beans, full of life, gung-ho, fearless, tenacious at anything he attempted."
2010, Yvonne Lindsay, For the Sake of the Secret Child, page 68:"The antibiotics are working a treat and he's full of beans. Too many beans, actually. He's asleep now." She gestured to the chaos of the sitting room.
See also
Etymology 2
Attested since the 1930s. A euphemistic form of full of shit.[1]
Adjective
full of beans (comparative more full of beans, superlative most full of beans)
- (chiefly US, idiomatic) Incorrect; uninformed; exaggerating or expressing falsehood.
2008, Paul Begala, Third Term: Why George W. Bush ♥ John McCain, page 73:McCain says he can save $100 billion in earmarks, but he's full of beans.
Synonyms
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Christine Ammer (2013) “full of beans”, in American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, second edition, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, →ISBN, page 160.
- Jonathan Bernstein, Knickers in a Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang (2007): "full of beans — bursting with energy"
- V. S. Matyushenkov, Dictionary of Americanisms, Briticisms, Canadianisms and Australianisms (2010): "full of beans — full of nonsense chronically mistaken, wrong"