SKIP TO CONTENT

full of beans

/fʊl ʌv binz/
IPA guide

Being full of beans can either mean you're energetic, lively, and brightening up the room, or it can mean you're talking nonsense.

There's a good chance that full of beans meaning "full of nonsense" is a softened version of other, more swear-filled phrases meaning the same thing. But the version that means "full of energy" is a little more mysterious. You could think of it like this: beans, when eaten, give you long-lasting energy. If you're full of them, you've probably got plenty of juice for running around and doing activities.

Definitions of full of beans
  1. idiom
    saying things that are false or talking nonsense
  2. idiom
    in a very good or lively mood
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘full of beans'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family