Feel your oats

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Meaning

Feel unusually lively, confident, frisky, or self-important. Current but somewhat folksy Regional use: United States, later wider North American English.

Origin

An American expression documented in Rhode Island in 1830. Its image is a horse becoming energetic after being fed oats. The metaphor can be approving when it describes vigour, but it can also suggest swagger, restlessness, or an inflated opinion of oneself.

Variants

  • feel one's oats
  • feeling his oats
  • feeling her oats

Usage Examples

  • After winning two races, the young mare really began to feel her oats.
  • With a promotion and a new suit, Leon was feeling his oats at the reception.

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