Being excited is one of the most exhilarating emotions. Whether it’s the anticipation of a big event, the joy of achieving a goal, or the rush of new possibilities, excitement can brighten our days and bring a smile to our faces. Sometimes, though, words alone don’t capture the full depth of that feeling. That’s where idioms come in. They help us express those emotions in a more vibrant and creative way.
In this article, we’ll explore 30 idioms for being excited that you can use to express your enthusiasm, joy, and eagerness. These idioms will not only add flair to your vocabulary but also help you communicate with warmth and care. Whether you’re talking to a friend, colleague, or loved one, these expressions will allow you to share your excitement in a more meaningful way.
1. On Cloud Nine
Meaning: A state of blissful happiness or excitement.
In a sentence: After hearing the good news, I was on cloud nine all day.
Best Use: When something makes you feel incredibly happy or excited.
Not Use: It’s not appropriate for moments of calm or subtle joy.
Other Ways to Say: “Walking on air,” “In seventh heaven.”
2. Over the Moon
Meaning: Extremely happy or excited.
In a sentence: She was over the moon when she found out she got the job.
Best Use: When you receive great news or achieve something important.
Not Use: For moments of frustration or disappointment.
Other Ways to Say: “On top of the world,” “Ecstatic.”
3. Jumping for Joy
Meaning: To express extreme happiness through physical excitement.
In a sentence: They were jumping for joy when their team won the championship.
Best Use: When excitement is so strong it’s almost tangible.
Not Use: In situations where excitement is more subdued.
Other Ways to Say: “Bursting with excitement,” “Leaping for joy.”
4. Pumped Up
Meaning: Filled with energy and excitement, usually for an event or activity.
In a sentence: I’m pumped up for the concert tonight!
Best Use: When gearing up for an exciting event, especially one that requires energy.
Not Use: When you’re feeling calm or relaxed.
Other Ways to Say: “Fired up,” “Excited.”
5. Like a Kid in a Candy Store
Meaning: Feeling overwhelmed with excitement and joy, similar to how a child would feel in a candy store.
In a sentence: When I entered the new bookstore, I felt like a kid in a candy store.
Best Use: When you’re surrounded by things that excite you.
Not Use: For situations that require a serious or calm tone.
Other Ways to Say: “Like a child at Christmas,” “In heaven.”
6. Buzzing with Excitement
Meaning: Feeling full of energy and excitement.
In a sentence: I’ve been buzzing with excitement since I got the invitation to the party.
Best Use: When your excitement is palpable and contagious.
Not Use: For moments when you’re feeling calm or introspective.
Other Ways to Say: “Electrified,” “Thrilled.”
7. In High Spirits
Meaning: Feeling happy and excited.
In a sentence: After a great weekend, she was in high spirits all week.
Best Use: When you’re in a good mood, especially after a positive experience.
Not Use: When you’re feeling down or disappointed.
Other Ways to Say: “Cheerful,” “Full of joy.”
8. Fired Up
Meaning: Full of energy and enthusiasm.
In a sentence: He’s really fired up about the upcoming game.
Best Use: For moments when you’re filled with energy and enthusiasm for something.
Not Use: When you’re feeling indifferent or tired.
Other Ways to Say: “Excited,” “Amped up.”
9. Walking on Air
Meaning: Feeling as though you’re floating because of happiness or excitement.
In a sentence: She was walking on air after her promotion.
Best Use: When you’re feeling euphoric or on top of the world.
Not Use: In moments when you feel grounded or introspective.
Other Ways to Say: “In seventh heaven,” “On cloud nine.”
10. In Seventh Heaven
Meaning: Experiencing extreme happiness or bliss.
In a sentence: After the proposal, she was in seventh heaven.
Best Use: When you’re overjoyed or completely content.
Not Use: For situations that are less emotionally intense.
Other Ways to Say: “Over the moon,” “On cloud nine.”
11. Having a Ball
Meaning: Having a great time and enjoying yourself.
In a sentence: They were having a ball at the amusement park.
Best Use: When you’re truly enjoying an activity.
Not Use: When the activity isn’t enjoyable or you’re uninterested.
Other Ways to Say: “Living it up,” “Having a blast.”
12. Like a Dog with Two Tails
Meaning: Extremely happy or excited, similar to how a dog wags its tail when excited.
In a sentence: She was like a dog with two tails when she received the award.
Best Use: When you’re so happy, it shows in your actions.
Not Use: When you’re calm or feeling down.
Other Ways to Say: “Thrilled,” “Ecstatic.”
13. On Fire
Meaning: Extremely enthusiastic or successful.
In a sentence: She’s been on fire at work lately, getting all her projects done ahead of time.
Best Use: When someone is excelling or experiencing a period of excitement.
Not Use: For situations where you’re feeling less motivated or low-energy.
Other Ways to Say: “In the zone,” “Killing it.”
14. Bubbling with Excitement
Meaning: Feeling so excited that it’s almost like you’re bubbling over with it.
In a sentence: The children were bubbling with excitement before their trip to the zoo.
Best Use: When you can’t contain your excitement.
Not Use: In situations where the excitement is more controlled.
Other Ways to Say: “Overflowing with joy,” “Exuberant.”
15. Tingling with Excitement
Meaning: Feeling a physical reaction due to excitement, often in the form of tingling sensations.
In a sentence: She was tingling with excitement as she waited for her turn.
Best Use: When your excitement is so intense that it affects your physical state.
Not Use: When you’re calm or relaxed.
Other Ways to Say: “Shivers down the spine,” “Excited.”
16. At the Edge of Your Seat
Meaning: Being in a state of suspense or anticipation, typically because you are excited.
In a sentence: The movie was so thrilling, I was at the edge of my seat the entire time.
Best Use: When you’re eagerly awaiting something.
Not Use: When you’re disengaged or uninterested.
Other Ways to Say: “On tenterhooks,” “On pins and needles.”
17. Jumping Out of Your Skin
Meaning: Feeling so excited that you’re nearly bursting.
In a sentence: She was jumping out of her skin when she saw the surprise party.
Best Use: When excitement makes you feel like you can’t contain it.
Not Use: For moments when you feel calm or collected.
Other Ways to Say: “Buzzing with excitement,” “On edge.”
18. In the Moment
Meaning: Fully engaged and excited in the present activity.
In a sentence: I was in the moment during the concert, feeling every beat.
Best Use: When you’re fully immersed in an exciting experience.
Not Use: For moments of distraction or boredom.
Other Ways to Say: “Present,” “In the zone.”
19. All Fired Up
Meaning: Excited and energetic, often about a specific cause or event.
In a sentence: She was all fired up about her new business idea.
Best Use: When you’re enthusiastic and eager about something.
Not Use: When you’re feeling calm or disinterested.
Other Ways to Say: “Pumped,” “Excited.”
20. Full of Beans
Meaning: Full of energy and excitement.
In a sentence: The kids were full of beans after eating their favorite dessert.
Best Use: When someone is bouncing with energy.
Not Use: For someone who is tired or disinterested.
Other Ways to Say: “Energetic,” “Bouncy.”
21. All in a Tizzy
Meaning: Feeling excited and disorganized due to overwhelming emotion.
In a sentence: She was all in a tizzy before her first day at the new job.
Best Use: When excitement leads to nervous energy.
Not Use: When you’re calm or collected.
Other Ways to Say: “Flustered,” “Excited.”
22. Like a Child on Christmas Morning
Meaning: Feeling the kind of excitement and joy a child feels on Christmas morning.
In a sentence: I felt like a child on Christmas morning before the big reveal.
Best Use: When excitement is pure and uncontained.
Not Use: For more subdued moments.
Other Ways to Say: “In pure joy,” “Overflowing with happiness.”
23. In Your Element
Meaning: Feeling completely comfortable and excited because you’re doing something you love.
In a sentence: She was in her element teaching the students today.
Best Use: When you’re enjoying something that excites you.
Not Use: When you feel uncomfortable or out of place.
Other Ways to Say: “At home,” “In your zone.”
24. The World is Your Oyster
Meaning: Feeling that everything is possible and exciting.
In a sentence: With the new opportunity, it felt like the world was my oyster.
Best Use: When you’re optimistic and filled with potential.
Not Use: When you’re uncertain or doubtful.
Other Ways to Say: “Endless possibilities,” “Limitless opportunities.”
25. Can’t Contain Your Excitement
Meaning: Feeling so excited that you can’t hide it.
In a sentence: She couldn’t contain her excitement when she found out about the surprise trip.
Best Use: When your excitement is visible and uncontrollable.
Not Use: When you’re feeling calm.
Other Ways to Say: “Bursting with excitement,” “Overflowing with joy.”
26. Excited as a Kid
Meaning: Feeling as excited as a child.
In a sentence: He was excited as a kid when he found out he would be traveling abroad.
Best Use: When you’re feeling a rush of childlike enthusiasm.
Not Use: When you’re feeling mature or composed.
Other Ways to Say: “Over the moon,” “Full of energy.”
27. Ecstatic
Meaning: Overwhelmingly excited and happy.
In a sentence: She was ecstatic when she found out her proposal was accepted.
Best Use: When your happiness and excitement are all-consuming.
Not Use: For mild excitement.
Other Ways to Say: “Thrilled,” “Elated.”
28. On Top of the World
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy and successful.
In a sentence: After her promotion, she felt on top of the world.
Best Use: When you’ve reached a goal and feel invincible.
Not Use: For moments when you’re feeling low.
Other Ways to Say: “Over the moon,” “In seventh heaven.”
29. High on Life
Meaning: Feeling exhilarated by life itself.
In a sentence: He was high on life after receiving good news from his family.
Best Use: When your joy comes from the experience, not just external events.
Not Use: When you’re feeling down.
Other Ways to Say: “In a great mood,” “Full of joy.”
30. Like a Firecracker
Meaning: Excited, energetic, and full of zest.
In a sentence: She was like a firecracker on her birthday, full of energy and joy.
Best Use: When someone is full of high energy and excitement.
Not Use: When you’re feeling calm.
Other Ways to Say: “Explosive with joy,” “Energetic.”
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between “on cloud nine” and “over the moon”?
Both expressions describe extreme happiness, but “on cloud nine” tends to be used for feelings of bliss, while “over the moon” implies being thrilled about something specific.
2. Can I use these idioms in formal settings?
Some of these idioms are casual and might not fit in formal settings. However, expressions like “in high spirits” or “ecstatic” could be used more widely.
3. Are these idioms only for positive excitement?
Yes, these idioms mostly describe positive emotions. However, some expressions can be used ironically for negative situations.
4. How can I express excitement without using idioms?
You can say things like “I’m thrilled,” “I’m so happy,” or “I can’t wait” to express excitement in a more direct way.
5. Can these idioms be used for small events?
Yes, many of these idioms can be used for both big and small events, depending on the intensity of your feelings.
Conclusion
Excitement is a feeling we all experience, and these 30 idioms for being excited will help you express your joy and energy in creative ways. Whether you’re sharing good news with a friend or preparing for something special, these idioms will help you communicate your feelings with warmth, care, and enthusiasm. Remember, the way we express ourselves shapes our connections, and using these lively expressions can add depth and emotion to your conversations. So, the next time you’re feeling that rush of excitement, try out one of these idioms and see how it makes your words come alive!
