hog wild

A shopper goes hog wild during a holiday sale.

Definition

1. Adjective (informal):
   • Extremely enthusiastic or excited: "hog wild" describes a state of being wildly or uncontrollably eager, often to the point of excess or foolishness.

Usage Examples

• (They became extremely and uncontrollably excited.)
• (They became overly enthusiastic and reckless.)
• (Do not become excessively or irresponsibly enthusiastic.)

Advanced Usage

• "to go hog wild": the most common phrase, meaning to become wildly excited or to act without restraint.
  • The children went hog wild when they saw the pile of presents. (They became uncontrollably excited and hyperactive.)
• "to be hog wild": to be in a state of extreme enthusiasm.
  • The crowd was hog wild for the singer's performance. (The audience was extremely and noisily enthusiastic.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hog (n): a pig, especially a domesticated one raised for meat; also used informally to describe a greedy or selfish person.
• Wild (adj): living or growing in a natural state; not domesticated; also meaning uncontrolled or unrestrained.

Synonyms

• Wild: extremely excited or enthusiastic.
• Crazy: extremely enthusiastic or fanatical.
• Gaga: (slang) wildly enthusiastic or infatuated.
• Over the moon: extremely happy or excited.

Related Idioms

• Go whole hog: to do something thoroughly or without restraint.
  • They went whole hog on the party decorations, spending a fortune. (They did it completely and without holding back.)
• In hog heaven: in a state of great happiness or satisfaction.
  • He was in hog heaven after winning the lottery. (He was extremely happy and content.)

Notes on Usage

• "Hog wild" is primarily American English and informal.
• It is almost always used with the verb "go" (e.g., "go hog wild") or "be" (e.g., "be hog wild").
• The phrase often implies a lack of control or judgment, not just enthusiasm.