in good spirits

(redirected from in high spirits)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus.

Related to in high spirits: in good spirits

in good spirits

Fig. happy and cheerful; positive and looking toward the future, despite unhappy circumstances. The patient is in good spirits and that will speed her recovery. Tom wasn't in very good spirits after he heard the bad news.

in good spirits

Also, in high spirits. Happy, cheerful, as in Jane was in good spirits today. [Early 1700s] However, high spirits also can indicate liveliness and vivacity, as in The children were in high spirits at the prospect of a trip to the circus.

See also: good, spirit

References in classic literature ?

Your daughter is in HIGH SPIRITS to-night," observed a single lady of a certain age, who was sitting near Mrs.

View in context

My girl was in high spirits, and I saw she had something to say to me.

View in context

The free trappers, being newly rigged out and supplied, were in high spirits, and swaggered gayly about the camp.

View in context

She went away in high spirits as soon as she had given Mary her breakfast.

View in context

They were all in high spirits and good humour, eager to be happy, and determined to submit to the greatest inconveniences and hardships rather than be otherwise.

View in context

Very willingly, if it be necessary to reassure you," answered the minister, and Mazarin, who was delighted to get off so cheaply, led the way, in high spirits, to the corridor and opened the door.