51³Ô¹Ï

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View synonyms for

live wire

[ lahyv ]

noun

Informal.
  1. an energetic, keenly alert person.


live wire

/ ±ô²¹Éª±¹ /

noun

  1. informal.
    an energetic or enterprising person
  2. a wire carrying an electric current
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of live wire1

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05
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Idioms and Phrases

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]
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“There are injuries, however, we are not able to confirm the extent due to live wires down in the area,†Gloria Orejel, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told Victor Valley News Group.

From

It’s a live wire issue in a criminal context.

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I preferred being “that girl who owns that shop†instead of “that girl whose shop ended up closing,†and who felt like a failing live wire because of it.

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Nick says other issues have included the wrong windows being installed twice, heat loss issues, and bare live wires hidden behind a wall.

From

Meanwhile, county officials have launched boats to save stranded people and sent out warnings that the flooded water could contain live wires, sewage, sharp objects, and other debris.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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