bright as a button

(as) bright as a button

Especially intelligent, astute, or perceptive. Ted's as bright as a button, so he'll find a solution to this problem. Of course Ellen is our valedictorian—she's bright as a button. My granddad may be old and cantankerous, but he's still bright as a button. You can't get anything past him.

See also: bright, button

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*bright as a button

intelligent; quick-minded. (Usually used to describe children. *Also: as ~.) Why, Mrs. Green, your little girl is as bright as a button. You can't fool Jane. She may be only six years old, but she's bright as a button.

See also: bright, button

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

bright as a button

mainly BRITISH

If someone is as bright as a button, they are intelligent, full of energy, or very cheerful. She was as bright as a button. If it had been her running the company, it might still be OK. She was in at lunch-time, bright as a button, chatting to that gentleman.

See also: bright, button

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

(as) bright as a ˈbutton

(British English) clever and lively: That child’s as bright as a button! OPPOSITE: (as) thick as two short planks

See also: bright, button

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017