animal spirits

American  

noun

1. exuberance arising from an excess of energy; vivacity and good humor.

   The children romped on the lawn, full of animal spirits.

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animal spirits British  

plural noun

1. cheerful and exuberant boisterousness

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Etymology

Origin of animal spirits

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

There is some space for green shoots to sprout now, or at least for the animal spirits of the economy to emerge from non-stop chaos.

From BBC

Hartnett also referenced the troubles in credit and private equity as examples of peak liquidity and animal spirits.

From MarketWatch

“All of these, not to mention the S&P 500’s linear rally nearing 40% from the 4/7 intraday low, have ignited corporate and investor animal spirits alike,” he says.

From MarketWatch

Perhaps his presence unleashed the animal spirits at Bethpage Black.

From The Wall Street Journal

Labour has a job on its hands at conference, and at the Budget, to restore the animal spirits of UK business.

From BBC