piss and vinegar

English

Noun

piss and vinegar (uncountable)

1. (US) Exuberance or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive degree; bravado; youthful energy. [from mid-20th c.]

   Synonym: spit and vinegar

   • 1940, John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, Viking, page 248:

     "I know what's a matter. Young fella, all full a piss an' vinegar. Wanta be a hell of a guy all the time."

   • 2008 October 2, David Fricke, “Q&A: Metallica's James Hetfield”, in Rolling Stone, retrieved 21 Feb. 2009:

     Everyone wants that: the vigor, fire, piss and vinegar. You really believe that you're taking on the world.

Derived terms

• full of piss and vinegar

Related terms

• piss and wind

References

• “piss and vinegar”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.