# bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Eager, alert, enthusiastic, and lively.

## Examples

- She arrived at work bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning.
- Despite the early flight, the students arrived at the museum bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to learn.
- The young intern appeared bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, eager to prove his worth to the senior partners on his very first day.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.