Language is much more than just words — it’s about expression, emotion, and connection. One of the most colorful parts of English is idioms. Idioms are phrases that don’t always mean what the individual words suggest,
but instead carry a figurative meaning. For example, when someone says they are “on cloud nine,” it doesn’t mean they are literally floating on clouds. It means they are extremely happy or excited.
When it comes to excitement, English has countless idioms that capture moments of joy, anticipation, or thrill. Using these idioms makes your language more vivid, fun, and natural.
Whether you’re sharing good news with friends, writing an email, or speaking in public, knowing idioms for excitement can help you sound more fluent and expressive. Let’s explore some of the most popular and useful ones!
Did You Know?
The phrase “over the moon” (meaning very happy or excited) became widely popular after a famous English footballer used it in the 1970s during a post-match interview. Since then, it has become one of the most common idioms to describe excitement worldwide.
Idioms for Excitement
Below you’ll find a collection of idioms grouped into themes for easy understanding. Each one comes with meaning, example, alternatives, and notes on usage.
Idioms Showing Extreme Happiness
On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Extremely happy and excited.
Example: She was on cloud nine after passing her exams.
Alternative: Walking on air.
Note: Common in both spoken and written English.
Over the Moon
Meaning: Very delighted and thrilled.
Example: He was over the moon when he got his first job.
Alternative: In seventh heaven.
Note: Informal and very widely used.
Walking on Air
Meaning: Feeling light with joy or excitement.
Example: After winning the prize, she was walking on air all day.
Alternative: On cloud nine.
Note: Mostly used in daily conversation.
In Seventh Heaven
Meaning: At the peak of happiness.
Example: They were in seventh heaven on their wedding day.
Alternative: On top of the world.
Note: Often used in joyful or romantic contexts.
On Top of the World
Meaning: Feeling extremely successful or happy.
Example: He felt on top of the world after completing his marathon.
Alternative: In high spirits.
Note: Suitable for motivational or celebratory contexts.
Grinning from Ear to Ear
Meaning: Smiling broadly out of excitement or happiness.
Example: She was grinning from ear to ear after receiving the surprise gift.
Alternative: Beaming with joy.
Note: Mostly informal, but very expressive.
Idioms Showing Anticipation and Thrill
Like a Kid in a Candy Store
Meaning: Very excited about many choices or opportunities.
Example: He was like a kid in a candy store at the tech exhibition.
Alternative: Wide-eyed with excitement.
Note: Informal and playful expression.
Jumping for Joy
Meaning: Literally or figuratively expressing excitement.
Example: She was jumping for joy when she got the scholarship.
Alternative: Thrilled to bits.
Note: Often used to show physical joy.
Thrilled to Bits
Meaning: Very excited and delighted.
Example: I was thrilled to bits to meet my favorite author.
Alternative: Ecstatic.
Note: Common in British English.
Can’t Contain Myself
Meaning: Unable to control excitement.
Example: I can’t contain myself before the concert tonight!
Alternative: Bursting with excitement.
Note: Common in everyday speech.
Bursting with Excitement
Meaning: Full of energy and thrill.
Example: The kids were bursting with excitement before the trip.
Alternative: Eager beaver.
Note: Used often with children or enthusiastic people.
Like a Dog with Two Tails
Meaning: Extremely happy and excited.
Example: He was like a dog with two tails when his team won.
Alternative: Beaming with happiness.
Note: Informal, humorous expression.
Idioms for Nervous Excitement
Butterflies in the Stomach
Meaning: Feeling nervous and excited at the same time.
Example: She had butterflies in her stomach before her first stage performance.
Alternative: Anxious excitement.
Note: Common in school, exams, or stage contexts.
On the Edge of My Seat
Meaning: Very excited and waiting in suspense.
Example: The movie kept me on the edge of my seat till the end.
Alternative: Gripped with excitement.
Note: Often used for movies, games, or sports.
Heart in My Mouth
Meaning: Nervous but excited about something important.
Example: I had my heart in my mouth during the penalty shootout.
Alternative: Tense excitement.
Note: Usually related to tense or thrilling situations.
Tingling with Excitement
Meaning: Feeling physical sensations of thrill.
Example: She was tingling with excitement before her wedding.
Alternative: Buzzing with energy.
Note: More descriptive and expressive.
Electrified
Meaning: Shocked in a thrilling and exciting way.
Example: The crowd was electrified by the singer’s performance.
Alternative: Fired up.
Note: Informal and energetic.
A Bag of Nerves
Meaning: Overcome with nervous excitement.
Example: He was a bag of nerves before his big presentation.
Alternative: Shaking with anticipation.
Note: Used in daily life and professional situations.
Idioms for Sudden Excitement
Jump Out of One’s Skin
Meaning: To be suddenly shocked or thrilled.
Example: I almost jumped out of my skin when the fireworks went off.
Alternative: Taken aback.
Note: Often used in surprising or thrilling moments.
Mind-Blowing
Meaning: Extremely exciting or impressive.
Example: The special effects in the movie were mind-blowing.
Alternative: Out of this world.
Note: Very common in modern English.
Out of This World
Meaning: So amazing and exciting that it feels unreal.
Example: The food at that restaurant was out of this world!
Alternative: Mind-blowing.
Note: Informal and highly expressive.
A Blast
Meaning: A very exciting and fun time.
Example: We had a blast at the party last night.
Alternative: Great fun.
Note: Informal and popular among young people.
Full of Beans
Meaning: Energetic and excited.
Example: The kids were full of beans during the festival.
Alternative: Bouncing off the walls.
Note: Mostly used for children or playful adults.
Buzzing
Meaning: Overjoyed and excited about something.
Example: I’m still buzzing after the concert last night.
Alternative: Pumped up.
Note: Modern informal expression.
Pumped Up
Meaning: Energized and excited, especially before an event.
Example: The team was pumped up before the big match.
Alternative: Fired up.
Note: Common in sports and informal talks.
Fired Up
Meaning: Ready and excited to take action.
Example: The students were fired up for the competition.
Alternative: Pumped up.
Note: Often motivational or energetic.
On Fire
Meaning: Doing something with great excitement and success.
Example: The dancer was on fire during her performance.
Alternative: At the top of your game.
Note: Popular in sports and entertainment.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use idioms when chatting with friends or telling stories. For example, instead of saying “I was very happy,” say “I was over the moon.”
- Writing: Idioms make essays, blogs, or creative writing more colorful. For instance, “The team was on fire during the match” sounds more powerful.
- Professional Settings: Use idioms carefully in business. Saying “We’re on top of the world with these results” adds positivity without being too casual.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Literal Meaning Confusion
❌ Wrong: “I was literally walking on air yesterday.”
✅ Correct: “I was walking on air yesterday.” - Mixing Idioms Incorrectly
❌ Wrong: “I was on the moon nine.”
✅ Correct: “I was on cloud nine.” - Using Idioms in Formal Contexts
❌ Wrong (in business report): “The CEO was grinning from ear to ear.”
✅ Correct: “The CEO expressed great satisfaction.”
FAQs
1. What are idioms for excitement?
They are expressions that show joy, thrill, or nervous anticipation in a creative way.
2. Are idioms for excitement formal or informal?
Most are informal, but some (like “on top of the world”) can be used in semi-formal contexts.
3. Can I use idioms in exams or academic writing?
Yes, but carefully. They work best in essays, stories, or creative pieces, not in very formal research papers.
4. Do native speakers really use these idioms daily?
Yes! Idioms like “over the moon,” “buzzing,” and “a blast” are very common in daily conversations.
5. How can I remember idioms easily?
Connect them with situations in your life. For example, when you feel happy, say “I’m on cloud nine” out loud.
