Looking up...
in high spirits
/ɪn haɪ ˈspɪrɪts/◆idiom
very happy and cheerful
After receiving the good news, she was in high spirits all day.
She remained very happy and cheerful throughout the day after hearing the positive news.
informal
very happy and energetic
The team was in high spirits after winning the championship.
The team felt very happy and energetic after their victory.
He arrived in high spirits, laughing and joking with everyone.
He was very cheerful and energetic when he arrived, engaging in laughter and jokes.
Commonly used to describe a person's mood or demeanor when they are visibly happy and enthusiastic.
Collocations
in high spiritsvery happyremain in high spiritscontinue to feel happystart the day in high spiritsbegin the day feeling cheerful
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'in high spirits' to describe someone who is visibly happy and energetic, often due to a recent positive event. Avoid using it for long-term happiness, as it implies a temporary state.
Gold Rule
Idiom Rule
Remember that idioms like 'in high spirits' are figurative. The phrase does not refer to literal spirits or elevation but to a person's emotional state.
Word Origin
The phrase dates back to the early 19th century. 'High' in this context refers to elevated mood or emotion, while 'spirits' refers to one's emotional state or disposition. The idiom likely evolved from earlier expressions like 'high of spirit' used in literary works.
Usage Notes
This idiom is used to describe a temporary state of happiness or cheerfulness, often in response to a positive event. It is more common in spoken English than in formal writing.
Word Breakdown
in
in a state of
prepositionhigh
elevated or intense
adjectivespirits
mood or emotional state
nounEnglish Dictionary