the life of the party

life of the party

Someone who brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to a social event, perhaps the main focus or source of enjoyment. Bill is definitely the life of the party—he's currently trying to get everyone up to dance!

See also: life, of, party

the life of the party

Informal

An animated, amusing person who is the center of attention at a social gathering.

See also: life, of, party

life of the party, the

A lively individual who helps make a social gathering a success. This term, dating from the first half of the nineteenth century, began as the life and soul of the party, but in time the second half was dropped. Joshua Ferris used it in his short story, “The Pilot”: “His pilot was a comedy in which the main character was a recovering alcoholic. . . . He was the ‘life of the party’” (New Yorker, June 14–21, 2010).

See also: life, of