ENGLISH
REFERENCE

good drunk

idiom
Meaning

A person who is cheerful and companionable when intoxicated, retaining reasonable control of his or her mental and emotional faculties.


Origin

first recorded 20th c. disputed origin

Probably first used in literature in this manner by Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises (1926).

Examples
SIMPLE

He is a good drunk who always makes everyone laugh.

CONTEXTUAL

Even after a few drinks at the party, he remained a good drunk and kept the conversation light and friendly.

COMPLEX

While many people become aggressive when they drink, he remains a good drunk, maintaining his composure and pleasant demeanor throughout the evening.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a good deal

    Very much; to a great extent; a lot; lots.

  2. 02

    all good

    It's all good.

  3. 03

    appeal from Philip drunk to Philip sober

    To ask someone to reconsider a decision or view they took while their judgment was swayed by momentary passion, excitement, etc.

  4. 04

    but good

    To a high degree; very thoroughly; in a most definite manner.

  5. 05

    cheap drunk

    Someone who is easily intoxicated.

  6. 06

    come from a good place

    To be motivated by decency, kindness, or good intentions.

  7. 07

    deal a good hand

    To assign favorable circumstances in life to someone.

  8. 08

    do well by doing good

    To achieve social acceptance or financial success as a result of behaving in a benevolent or charitable manner.

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