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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Full of beans

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Very energetic and enthusiastic.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. The children were full of beans after the outdoor games.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.

The children were ________ after the outdoor games.
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Full of beans — Very energetic and enthusiastic.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Full of beans” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

Very energetic and enthusiastic.

Compare: The children were full of beans after the outdoor games.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this informal UK expression warmly for someone lively and ready to do things. It is natural in friendly conversation.

More examples in context

  • I arrived full of beans and ready to start the workshop.
  • She was still full of beans after a day of helping at the festival.

Usage note

This lesson teaches the UK energy-and-enthusiasm meaning. It is figurative, so the person does not need to have eaten beans.

A short conversation

A: Are you too tired for a walk?
B: Not at all. I am full of beans today.
A: Let us take the longer route, then.

One more practice question

How is a person who is full of beans feeling in this UK use?

A. Exhausted and unable to show interest.
B. Lively and enthusiastic.

Check your answer

B. The idiom describes energy and enthusiasm.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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