33 Idioms for Excitement

Excitement is a powerful emotion, and there are many creative ways to express it through idioms. Idioms for excitement can make language come alive, adding energy and flair to your conversations. These colorful phrases help convey how thrilled or happy we feel in different situations.

In this article, we’ll dive into expressions of excitement and explore how idioms can perfectly capture the joy and enthusiasm that come with special moments. Whether you’re feeling on top of the world or bursting with happiness, there’s an idiom for every type of excitement!

1. Jump for Joy

Meaning: To express extreme happiness or excitement.
In a Sentence: When I found out I was accepted to my dream college, I jumped for joy!
Other Ways to Say: Be thrilled, be ecstatic

2. On Cloud Nine

Meaning: To feel incredibly happy or euphoric.
In a Sentence: Winning the lottery left him on cloud nine for weeks.
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon, walking on air

3. Tickled Pink

Meaning: To be very pleased or delighted.
In a Sentence: Sarah was tickled pink when she received a surprise gift.
Other Ways to Say: Delighted, thrilled

4. All Ears

Meaning: To be very eager to listen or pay attention.
In a Sentence: The kids were all ears when their parents announced a trip to Disneyland.
Other Ways to Say: Paying attention, listening intently

5. Ants in One’s Pants

Meaning: To feel restless or fidgety due to excitement.
In a Sentence: Tim had ants in his pants while waiting for his birthday party to start.
Other Ways to Say: Restless, fidgety

6. Walking on Air

Meaning: To feel extremely happy or elated.
In a Sentence: After acing his final exam, he was walking on air all day.
Other Ways to Say: On cloud nine, over the moon

7. Bursting at the Seams

Meaning: To be so full of excitement that you can’t contain it.
In a Sentence: The kids were bursting at the seams when they saw their birthday presents.
Other Ways to Say: Overflowing with excitement, brimming with anticipation

8. Beaming from Ear to Ear

Meaning: To have a big, happy smile.
In a Sentence: Sarah was beaming from ear to ear when she received the news she got the job.
Other Ways to Say: Grinning from ear to ear, smiling broadly

9. In Seventh Heaven

Meaning: To be in a state of bliss or extreme happiness.
In a Sentence: Emily felt like she was in seventh heaven when her favorite band played live.
Other Ways to Say: On cloud nine, over the moon

10. Jump out of One’s Skin

Meaning: To be startled or surprised by excitement.
In a Sentence: When the surprise guest entered, Sarah jumped out of her skin.
Other Ways to Say: Startled, taken aback

11. Like a Kid in a Candy Store

Meaning: To feel overwhelmed with excitement, often when faced with many choices or opportunities.
In a Sentence: When Tim walked into the amusement park, he felt like a kid in a candy store.
Other Ways to Say: Excited like a child, thrilled beyond belief

12. Grinning Like a Cheshire Cat

Meaning: To have a big, mischievous smile, often after accomplishing something clever.
In a Sentence: Tom was grinning like a Cheshire cat after pulling off the perfect prank.
Other Ways to Say: Smiling mischievously, beaming with mischief

13. Floating on Air

Meaning: To feel light and happy, as if floating due to extreme joy.
In a Sentence: After getting the promotion, Emily was floating on air all week.
Other Ways to Say: Overjoyed, ecstatic

14. Have Butterflies in One’s Stomach

Meaning: To feel nervous but also excited, often before a big event.
In a Sentence: Sarah had butterflies in her stomach before her first public speaking event.
Other Ways to Say: Feel nervous, feel excited

15. On Pins and Needles

Meaning: To feel anxious or excited, especially while waiting for something important.
In a Sentence: Tim was on pins and needles waiting for the test results.
Other Ways to Say: Anxiously waiting, eagerly anticipating

16. Ready to Burst

Meaning: To be so filled with excitement or anticipation that you can barely contain it.
In a Sentence: The children were ready to burst with excitement when they saw the magician.
Other Ways to Say: Overflowing with excitement, brimming with anticipation

17. Thrilled to Bits

Meaning: To be extremely happy or excited.
In a Sentence: Sarah was thrilled to bits when she received the surprise package.
Other Ways to Say: Overjoyed, ecstatic

18. Tingle with Excitement

Meaning: To feel an excited sensation, often in your body, like a shiver.
In a Sentence: As the concert began, Sarah could feel herself tingle with excitement.
Other Ways to Say: Shiver with excitement, quiver with anticipation

19. Have Stars in One’s Eyes

Meaning: To be full of admiration or excitement, often towards something or someone.
In a Sentence: Emily had stars in her eyes when she met her favorite actor.
Other Ways to Say: Admire greatly, be filled with wonder

20. Jump Out of One’s Shoes

Meaning: To be startled or extremely surprised.
In a Sentence: The loud surprise announcement made Sarah jump out of her shoes.
Other Ways to Say: Startled, surprised

21. Be Beside Oneself with Joy

Meaning: To be so happy or excited that you can hardly control yourself.
In a Sentence: The team was beside themselves with joy after winning the championship.
Other Ways to Say: Overjoyed, ecstatic

22. Have a Spring in One’s Step

Meaning: To walk energetically, often due to excitement or happiness.
In a Sentence: After receiving the good news, Sarah had a spring in her step all day.
Other Ways to Say: Walk energetically, bounce with excitement

23. Feel Like a Million Bucks

Meaning: To feel fantastic or extremely good about yourself.
In a Sentence: After getting all dressed up for the party, Sarah felt like a million bucks.
Other Ways to Say: Feel great, feel fantastic

24. Over the Moon

Meaning: To be extremely happy or thrilled.
In a Sentence: Emily was over the moon when she received the job offer.
Other Ways to Say: Thrilled, ecstatic

25. Walk on Air

Meaning: To feel extremely happy or elated.
In a Sentence: After receiving praise for her work, Sarah felt like she was walking on air.
Other Ways to Say: On cloud nine, over the moon

26. Float on Cloud Nine

Meaning: To feel euphoric or blissful.
In a Sentence: After being promoted at work, Tim felt like he was floating on cloud nine.
Other Ways to Say: Overjoyed, ecstatic

27. Burst with Joy

Meaning: To be so full of happiness that it seems you could explode.
In a Sentence: The kids burst with joy when they saw the big birthday cake.
Other Ways to Say: Overflowing with happiness, brimming with excitement

28. Jump for Joy

Meaning: To express immense happiness by physically jumping.
In a Sentence: When she got the scholarship, she literally jumped for joy.
Other Ways to Say: Be ecstatic, be thrilled

29. Have a Heart Full of Joy

Meaning: To feel an overwhelming sense of happiness.
In a Sentence: Sarah had a heart full of joy when she saw her family’s surprise reunion.
Other Ways to Say: Feel deeply happy, be filled with happiness

30. Can’t Contain One’s Excitement

Meaning: To be so excited that you cannot keep it inside.
In a Sentence: Tim couldn’t contain his excitement when he found out he was getting a new puppy.
Other Ways to Say: Bursting with joy, overflowing with excitement

31. On Top of the World

Meaning: To feel extremely happy or successful.
In a Sentence: After getting a promotion at work, Emily felt on top of the world.
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon, walking on air

32. Can’t Wait

Meaning: To be eagerly anticipating something.
In a Sentence: Sarah couldn’t wait for her vacation to start.
Other Ways to Say: Eagerly awaiting, looking forward to

33. Grinning from Ear to Ear

Meaning: To smile widely, often because of happiness.
In a Sentence: After receiving the surprise gift, Tom was grinning from ear to ear.
Other Ways to Say: Beaming with joy, smiling broadly

Quiz on Idioms for Excitement

Which idiom means to feel extremely happy or euphoric?

a) Grinning from ear to ear
b) On Cloud Nine
c) Jump for Joy
d) Ants in One’s Pants

Answer: b) On Cloud Nine

What does the idiom “Jump out of one’s skin” mean?

a) To feel very relaxed
b) To feel startled or surprised by excitement
c) To express happiness through laughter
d) To be so happy you can’t contain it

Answer: b) To feel startled or surprised by excitement

Which of these idioms refers to being full of anticipation or excitement while waiting?

a) Ants in One’s Pants
b) Have Butterflies in One’s Stomach
c) On Pins and Needles
d) Walking on Air

Answer: c) On Pins and Needles

If someone is “Tickled Pink,” they are:

a) Extremely disappointed
b) Very pleased or delighted
c) Feeling mischievous
d) Overwhelmed by emotions

Answer: b) Very pleased or delighted

Which of these idioms means to feel light and happy, almost as if floating?

a) Grinning from ear to ear
b) Jump for Joy
c) Walking on Air
d) Ready to Burst

Answer: c) Walking on Air

What does the idiom “Like a Kid in a Candy Store” describe?

a) Feeling overwhelmed by too many choices
b) Feeling nervous
c) Being overly confident
d) Feeling tired

Answer: a) Feeling overwhelmed by too many choices

“Bursting at the seams” refers to:

a) Being full of joy or excitement
b) Feeling nervous before a big event
c) Becoming irritated by small things
d) Being very tired

Answer: a) Being full of joy or excitement

Conclusion

Idioms for excitement offer a vivid and playful way to express joy, anticipation, and enthusiasm. From “jumping for joy” to “walking on air,” these phrases bring energy and color to our language, making communication more engaging and expressive.

By learning and using these idioms, we can more effectively convey our emotions, share our experiences, and connect with others. Next time you’re filled with excitement, try using one of these idioms to share your joy in a creative and fun way!