live wire
Charged cable, figuratively
A live wire is an electrical conductor carrying current—dangerous to touch.
The figurative sense dominates casual use: a live wire is an energetic, alert person full of nervous energy: She's a real live wire—always has three projects going at once.
The image is of contained electricity ready to spark.
Attractively energetic and enthusiastic
- exuberantIntensely lively and cheerful
- spiritedFull of vim
- bubblyFizzy or cheerfully animated
- effervescentFizzing with gas bubbles
vibrant · dynamic · peppy · zesty · sparky · zippy · perky · animated
One who directs musicians
- currentDirected flow of charge
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
electrocution · high-voltage · grounding · insulation · amperage · short-circuit · spark · jolt
Arising without external cause
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- volatileLiable to sudden change
- mercurialProne to sudden change
- unfilteredNot passed through screen
wild-card · erratic · capricious · reckless · daredevil · risk-taker · hot-headed · fiery
vivacious
Attractively energetic and enthusiastic
effervescent · vibrant · dynamic · peppy · zesty · sparky · zippy · perky · animated · kinetic
conductor
One who directs musicians
- currentDirected flow of charge
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
shock · electrocution · high-voltage · grounding · insulation · amperage · short-circuit · spark · jolt · breaker
spontaneous
Arising without external cause
unfiltered · wild-card · erratic · capricious · reckless · daredevil · risk-taker · hot-headed · fiery · combustible
- Electricalwiring, outlets, circuits, fuses, breakers
- electrical wiringwires, wire, ground wire, circuit, grounding wire
- energy metaphorsamped, charged, electric, electrified, jolt
- hazardsfire hazard, fire hazards, toxin, contamination, tripping hazard
- utilitieselectricity, water supply, public utilities, water line, gas service
- expressive peopleemoter, drama queen, diva, prima donna, extrovert
live wirewet blanket
One who discourages others
stick-in-the-mud · dullard · bore · killjoy · wallflower
live wireshrinking violet
Extremely timid person
wallflower · introvert · mouse · recluse · loner