full of beans

full of beans

English

Pronunciation

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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)

1. (idiomatic) Energetic and enthusiastic.
   • 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, Karen Thomas and Lindsey Arkley, "World mourns 'Crocodile Hunter'," USA Today, 6 Sep. (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.

Synonyms

• (energetic and enthusiastic): feeling one's oats

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)

1. (chiefly US, idiomatic) Incorrect; uninformed; exaggerating or expressing falsehood.
   • 2008, David Carr, "Talk to the Newsroom: David Carr, Culture Reporter and Business Columnist," New York Times, 31 Mar. (retrieved 6 Nov. 2008):

     Anybody who tells you that they know what today's readers want is full of beans.

   • 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

• (incorrect; uninformed; expressing falsehood): full of shit

References

1. The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, second edition →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"