in high spirits

Meaning

This phrase describes someone who is in a very good mood, lively, cheerful, and full of energy. It is often used to describe groups of people celebrating, children playing, or someone who has just received excellent news.

Examples

• The children were in high spirits on the morning of their trip to the amusement park.

  The children were in high spirits on the morning of their trip to the amusement park.

• Despite the long flight, the team arrived in high spirits and ready to play.

  Despite the long flight, the team arrived in high spirits and ready to play.

• Everyone was in high spirits at the wedding reception, dancing and laughing.

  Everyone was in high spirits at the wedding reception, dancing and laughing.

• She was in high spirits after finding out she had passed her driving test.

  She was in high spirits after finding out she had passed her driving test.

• The office was in high spirits on Friday afternoon as the long weekend approached.

  The office was in high spirits on Friday afternoon as the long weekend approached.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He was in a high spirit today.

  ✓ He was in high spirits today.

  The phrase is always plural ('spirits') and does not use the indefinite article 'a'.

• ✗ She had high spirits during the party.

  ✓ She was in high spirits during the party.

  We use the preposition 'in' with the verb 'to be' to describe this emotional state, rather than using the verb 'to have'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The fans were ___ after their team won the championship game.

  💡 extremely cheerful and energetic

  Show answer

  in high spirits

• Although it was raining, the hikers remained ___ throughout the day.

  💡 kept a positive, happy attitude

  Show answer

  in high spirits