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.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- feel one's oats
- feeling her oats
- feeling his 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.