live wire

[ lahyv ]
/ laɪv /

noun Informal.

an energetic, keenly alert person.

Origin of live wire

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example sentences from the Web for live wire

British Dictionary definitions for live wire

live wire
/ (laɪv) /

noun

informal an energetic or enterprising person
a wire carrying an electric current

Idioms and Phrases with live wire

live wire

A highly alert or energetic person. For example, Sally's a real live wire; she brightens up any gathering. This metaphoric term transfers a wire carrying electric current to a lively individual. [c. 1900]