an early bird

early bird

1. Someone who is more active and alert in the early hours of the morning than later in the day; an early riser. I tried dating an early bird once, but since I like to sleep in late, it didn't really work out. I suppose it's more out of necessity than anything, but I turned into an early bird as soon as I had kids.
2. Someone who arrives early to an event. We'd better have everything ready for the garage sale—the early birds will be here sniffing around before we get a chance to set up.
See also: bird, early
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

an early bird

1. If you call someone an early bird, you mean that they get up early in the morning to do things. We've always been early birds, up at 5.30 or 6am. Note: Early-bird can also be used to describe things that are available to people who get up early. The early-bird rate for parking (in by 10 a.m., out by 7 p.m.) at the Millennium Park Garage is $14 weekdays.
2. If you call someone an early bird, you mean that they succeed in doing something before other people. Florida has been an early bird in terms of presidential voting for some time. Note: Early-bird can also be used to describe things that are available to these people. An early-bird discount is sometimes available at the beginning of the season.
See also: bird, early
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • early bird
  • a morning person
  • the early bird catches the worm
  • early bird catches the worm
  • early bird catches the worm, the
  • bright and early
  • the early hours (of the night/morning)
  • the small/early hours
  • early doors
  • have an early night
References in classic literature
As she leaned over her little balcony, watching an early bird get the worm, and wondering how she should like Uncle Alec, she saw a man leap the garden wall and come whistling up the path.
No, he answered, generally he's an early bird -- airley to bed and airley to rise --yes, he's the bird what catches the worm.
That compares to PS299 (PS13 per game) for an early bird standard zone ticket last season at the Ricoh.
Adult tickets cost PS10 but there's also an early bird ticket available for PS7.50.
The bad news is that not being an early bird may be bad for your health, from weight gain to premature death.
Etihad Airways has launched an Early Bird premium offer with very attractive Business Class fares to many of the airline's worldwide destinations.
There's also an early bird discount of 10 percent for those who pay on or before Jan.
TEHRAN (FNA)- There is plenty of science to support the fact that being an early bird can bring you all sorts of success - in business and in life.
There is an early bird residency fee of $10 for those who sign up and pay by May 10.
The festival has become one of the UK's most established celebrations of the malt tipple and to mark its fifth birthday there will be a number of special events, as well as an early bird discount on tickets.
New York (CruiseGuide Cruising & Travel News) Mon, Feb 10, 2014 - Eurail is offering an Early Bird deal which offers non-European residents free travel days on Eurail Global Passes purchased from Feb.
Tickets cost PS29.50 for early birds, PS10 for early bird after party and PS15 early bird Sunday or PS54.50 for an Early Bird Weekender ticket.
Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort, a resort in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, has announced an Early Bird Season Pass sale.
New sponsors can take advantage of an Early Bird Sponsorship for $3,000; after April 20: $3,500.