# good drunk

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/good-drunk
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- He is a good drunk who always makes everyone laugh.
- Even after a few drinks at the party, he remained a good drunk and kept the conversation light and friendly.
- While many people become aggressive when they drink, he remains a good drunk, maintaining his composure and pleasant demeanor throughout the evening.

## Origin

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

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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.