like a kid on a rollercoaster

8.3

Very excited and happy in an obvious way

idiom

Informal

: como un niño en una montaña rusa

When the band finally took the stage, she was like a kid on a rollercoaster, cheering and jumping with excitement.

Examples

He opened the present and reacted like a kid on a rollercoaster, shouting with pure joy.
After getting her dream job, Mia felt like a kid on a rollercoaster for days.
She was like a kid on a rollercoaster when she saw the surprise party!
He felt like a kid on a rollercoaster after winning the lottery.
After getting her dream job, Mia felt like a kid on a rollercoaster for days.
He opened the present and reacted like a kid on a rollercoaster, shouting with pure joy.
When the band finally took the stage, she was like a kid on a rollercoaster, cheering and jumping with excitement.

Synonyms

excited

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

∞ 1.0

Feeling very happy and eager about something

is similar but implies a more obvious and childlike excitement

thrilled

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

383 2.3

Feeling very excited and happy

is the same strong excitement but with showy, playful expression

enthusiastic

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

167 2.7

Very excited and interested in something

is more playful and visibly excited rather than steady eagerness

joyful

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

73 1.0

Feeling or showing great happiness

is similar in happiness but more visibly enthusiastic and playful

ecstatic

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

61 4.5

Feeling very happy and excited

is similarly intense but has clear playful, visible excitement

stoked

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Slang

47 7.9

Feeling very excited about something good or fun

is excited too but implies a playful, almost wild energy

overjoyed

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

29 2.1

Feeling very happy and excited about something good

is similarly deep happiness but with an obvious playful excitement

exuberant

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

22 5.9

Very happy and full of energy

is equally energetic but highlights a childlike thrill element

jubilant

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

14 5.0

Feeling very happy because of a success or a good event

is joyful too but focuses on visible, childlike excitement rather than victory

exhilarated

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

11 4.4

Feeling very happy and full of energy

is similarly lively but stresses childish, obvious enthusiasm

gleeful

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

11 1.2

Very happy and excited in a playful way

is equally joyful but suggests more visible, playful glee

absolutely thrilled

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

8 3.2

Feeling very excited and happy about something

shares high joy but implies a childish, visibly noisy delight

ebullient

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

6 8.2

Very lively and full of energy

matches high cheer but focuses more on playful, obvious joy

rapturous

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

5 7.0

Feeling or showing great joy and excitement

is similarly joyful but more playful and visibly eager

like a kid in a candy store

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

3 7.2

Very excited and happy because there are many things to choose from

is the same playful delight but emphasizes quick, thrilling movement feeling

totally excited

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

3 1.6

Very happy and eager about something

matches strong enthusiasm but stresses playful, obvious physical excitement

exultant

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Formal

2 7.3

Very happy and proud because of a big success

is joyful too but centers on playful thrill rather than triumph

rhapsodic

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

2 8.1

Feeling or showing very strong excitement and joy

is comparable but more about obvious, childlike thrill and fun

adrenalized

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

1 7.0

Filled with a sudden rush of excitement and energy

has similar energy but is more playful and visibly delighted

totes excited

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Slang

1 9.9

Feeling very happy and eager about something

is the same casual excitement but with visible childlike joy

mad with excitement

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

1 5.3

Very excited and unable to stay calm

is similarly uncontrollable joy but suggests playful, delighted behaviour

posolutely ecstatic

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

9.9

Feeling very happy and excited

is equally intense but specifically looks like playful, obvious thrill

posilutely thrilled

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

9.9

Feeling very excited and happy

is the same lively excitement but with playful visible behaviour

ginormously excited

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

7.2

Feeling very happy and eager about something that will happen

is similar intensity but suggests a childish, exuberant reaction

as happy as a jaybird

vslike a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

7.5

Feeling very pleased and full of joy

matches extreme happiness but emphasizes excited, noisy behaviour

Antonyms

bored

482 1.0

Feeling not interested and tired from doing the same thing too much

unenthusiastic

4 3.9

Not showing much interest or excitement

How Excited

like a kid on a rollercoaster

Informal

8.3

enthusiastic

167 2.7

animated

23 3.7

excited

∞ 1.0

interested

∞ 1.0

calm

680 1.0

Surface Forms

like a kid on a rollercoaster main

Morphology

like + a + kid + on + a + rollercoaster

This simile is directly interpretable: combining 'kid' and 'rollercoaster' evokes the image of a child on an exciting, enthusiastic ride, so the intended meaning of being very excited or joyful is clearly derivable from the parts. The construction follows a common, cross-linguistic simile pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will very likely infer the meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Like a kid on a rollercoaster comes from the clear image of a kid on a rollercoaster, hands up, laughing and shouting on a fast ride. That's why the phrase means 'extremely excited or joyful'.