full of beans

full of beans

1. Nonsensical. His explanation is totally full of beans and doesn't answer the question at all.
2. Very energetic. Whenever my daughter is full of beans, I have her run around and play in our back yard.
See also: bean, full, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

full of beans

1. Lively, energetic, in high spirits, as in The children were full of beans today, looking forward to their field trip. This expression has no valid explanation. [c. 1840]
2. Also, full of prunes. Acting foolish, talking nonsense, as in One cup of coffee won't hurt you-you're full of prunes. [c. 1930] Also see full of crap.
See also: bean, full, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

full of beans

If you are full of beans, you are very happy and energetic. Jem was among them, pink-cheeked and full of beans after his long sleep. He's a likable extrovert, full of beans. Note: This originally referred to a horse that was well-fed and therefore full of energy.
See also: bean, full, of
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

full of beans

lively; in high spirits. informal
This phrase was originally used by people who work with horses, and referred to the good condition of a horse fed on beans.
See also: bean, full, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

full of ˈbeans

very lively, active and healthy: Ray is certainly full of beans again after his illness.This phrase was originally used to talk about horses that were fed on beans.
See also: bean, full, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

full of beans

mod. full of nonsense; full of hot air. Oh, be quiet. You’re just full of beans.
See also: bean, full, of
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

full of beans

1. Energetic; frisky: The children were too full of beans to sit still.
2. Badly mistaken: Don't believe him; he's full of beans.
See also: bean, full, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

full of beans

Lively, high-spirited. The earliest appearance of this expression is in Robert Smith Surtees’s Handley Cross (1843), a continuation of the adventures of a sporting grocer, John Jorrocks (“Ounds, ’osses and men are in a glorious state of excitement! Full o’ beans and benevolence!”). A slang dictionary of 1874 defined the term to mean arrogant and offensive concerning one’s newfound prosperity (nouveau riche snobbery) and held that it came from stable slang. It was so used for a time in the late nineteenth century, but then was superseded by the earlier (and present) meaning, which survives in the cliché.
See also: bean, full, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • prune
  • be full of beans
  • full of prunes
  • full circle, come
  • full of years
  • glass
  • full up
  • full to the brim
  • full to the gills
  • full of hot air
References in periodicals archive
"I'm full of beans. I feel like a huge cloud has been lifted off my shoulders."
I'VE SHOT SAM, I'VE SHOT SAM ..I'M FULL OF BEANS; Killer's boast after 'Scarface' shotgun rampage MOAT INQUEST...MOAT INQUEST...MOAT
He is certainly full of beans at the moment and as good as he can be at 11 years of age," said Smith.
Kauto Star is all set for Gold rush
Full Of Beans has an annual turnover of pounds 140,000 and its main clients are based in Birmingham and Manchester with others in London and Scotland.
Made In The Midlands
Nicky Richards, who trained him, said: "It's been well documented how close we came to losing the old boy last winter but he's full of beans now.
Aintree honours Monet's Garden
FULL OF BEANS: Bobby Pattinson and Brendan Healy launch the world's biggest coffee morning in aid of Macmillan
A cuppa for cancer
THE ever-lively Wolves keeper Graham Stack was full of beans after his nine-minute run-out as replacement for the groggy Wayne Hennessey at Crystal Palace.
Please form an orderly queue
This year, rather than slaving away to create the traditional Full English or fat-laden pastries, try a low-GI treat to boost mum's energy levels and keep her full of beans all day.
Ways to show mum just how much you care; Food
Today she is full of beans and keen to share her inspirational story with others.
Race for life
Catherine, 33, who could be in line for an Oscar for her dynamic role in the film version of the musical Chicago, said she was full of beans despite putting on three stone in weight.
I love being pregnant, says Zeta Jones
Cornwell may never hit the same dizzy heights as he scaled with The Stranglers but he's still full of beans live, still plays a mean Telecaster - and still has plenty of mileage in his superb songbook.
Ex Stranglers frontman still full of beans with solo show
Human rights lawyer Amal, 36, looked radiant in a floorscraping Stella McCartney trouser suit and her 53-year-old groom still appeared full of beans following the party marathon that began on Friday with their stag and hen dos.
Day 4 and finally they tie the knot
Venezuela have proved to be the surprise package of the tournament and they will be full of beans after scoring two injury-time goals to salvage a 3-3 draw with Paraguay on Wednesday.
Pato perfect player to pummel Paraguay; FOOTBALL
"The treatment is going very wel l indeed and Danny is generally full of beans."
Baker's OK after chemo
Switching to a diet full of beans, cabbage and Brussels sprouts would do untold damage to the environment.
Letter: YOUR SHOUT; Going veggie means danger
The Belgrade has a reputation for producing immensely successful, traditional pantomimes which capture the imagination of children of all ages, so book now and make your Christmas full of beans (magic ones, of course).
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Until January 14