- A person who is very enthusiastic, hardworking, and keen, especially about starting new tasks or assignments.
- Sometimes implies excessive or perhaps naive enthusiasm.
Explanation
Origin
- The phrase refers to the beaver, an animal known in North American folklore and observation for its industriousness (dam-building).
- Eager highlights the person's keenness and enthusiasm.
- The term became particularly popular during World War II in North America, often applied to keen new military recruits or workers.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Go-getter (Emphasizes ambition and proactive approach)
- Gunner (US slang, often in academic/professional settings; implies someone overly ambitious, competitive, sometimes disliked by peers often negative)
- Keen as mustard (UK/Aus/NZ slang, very enthusiastic)
- Raring to go (Ready and eager to start an activity)
- Gung-ho (Extremely enthusiastic, sometimes to the point of being reckless or unthinking)
- Busy bee (Emphasizes being constantly active and working)
- Dynamo / Energizer Bunny (Emphasizes high energy levels)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Works their ass off (Vulgar, emphasizes extreme hard work)
- Busting their gut/balls (Vulgar, working extremely hard)
Milder/More Formal:
- Enthusiastic
- Industrious
- Diligent
- Zealous (Can imply excessive, possibly misguided enthusiasm)
- Highly motivated
- Proactive
- Assiduous (Formal, showing great care and perseverance)
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Generally neutral to positive, praising hard work and enthusiasm.
- However, depending on tone and context, it can sometimes imply naivety or suggest someone is trying too hard, potentially irritating colleagues ('teacher's pet' adjacent).
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally straightforward. The connotation leans positive (hardworking) but can sometimes shade into slightly negative (overly keen, perhaps trying too hard). Tone is important.
Examples
- The new intern is a real eager beaver, always the first one in and the last to leave.
- Alright, eager beaver, slow down! We don't need to start the project until tomorrow.
- She volunteered for three extra committees – what an eager beaver!
Dialogue
Teacher 1: Little Suzie had her hand up for every single question today, even before I finished asking!
Teacher 2: (Smiling) Oh, she's a real eager beaver, isn't she? Full of enthusiasm.
Teacher 1: Absolutely! It's wonderful to see.
Social Media Examples
- Post: First day volunteering at the animal shelter! Feeling like a total eager beaver and ready to help all the furry friends. 🐶🐱 #volunteer #excited
- Comment: My son joined the coding club and is such an eager beaver, already building his own website!
- Tweet: Note to self: maybe don't be *too* much of an eager beaver on Monday morning. Colleagues may not appreciate the 8 AM enthusiasm burst. 😂
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Yeah, they've got tons of energy!, Definitely keen.
- Amusement: Haha, reminds me of myself when I first started.
- Mild reservation: A bit *too* keen, maybe?, Hope they don't burn out.
- Appreciation (if positive): It's great to see that enthusiasm.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After calling someone an eager beaver:
- People might discuss the specific enthusiastic actions observed.
- If in a work context, managers might appreciate the initiative or consider how to best channel the energy.
- If teasing, might gently encourage the person to pace themselves.
Conversation Starter
- No. Describes someone's enthusiastic approach, usually observed behavior.
Intonation
- Can be said with admiration for the energy, slight amusement or teasing at the excessive enthusiasm, or occasionally mild annoyance if it seems overbearing.
- Stress usually falls on Eager and beaver.
- an EAGER BEAVER.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations. May feel slightly dated to some younger people, but the meaning is clear.
Regional Variations
- Primarily North American origin and usage, but understood in other English-speaking regions.