ENGLISH
REFERENCE

early bird

idiom
Meaning

A person who wakes early or arrives early, typically before most others.


Origin

disputed origin

From the expression the early bird gets the worm.

Examples
SIMPLE

My sister is an early bird who exercises at dawn.

CONTEXTUAL

I am not an early bird, so I usually struggle to wake up before seven in the morning.

COMPLEX

As a dedicated early bird, he finds that the quiet hours of the morning are the most productive time for his writing.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little bird told me

    I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.

  2. 02

    be a hundred years too early

    To be so immature and unprepared as to have no hope of achieving an accomplishment.

  3. 03

    bird in the bosom

    A secret pledge that one makes for another.

  4. 04

    bird of ill omen

    A person who brings bad news.

  5. 05

    bird of one's own brain

    One's own idea or conception.

  6. 06

    bright and early

    (Very) early in the morning.

  7. 07

    call it an early night

    To go to bed or cease one's activities earlier in the evening than usual.

  8. 08

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

© 2026 English Reference