tickled pink

T

tickled pink

Meaning

• excited and happy.
• very much pleased.
• delighted.

Example Sentences

1. His wife was tickled pink when he sent her flowers and gifts at work for no reason.
2. He was tickled pink when his old friend called him up to wish him on his birthday.
3. She was tickled pink when her painting was selected for the top prize at the competition.
4. When the retiring teacher received many messages from his former students, he was tickled pink that they still remembered him and cared to send him their wishes.
5. The children were tickled pink when they were taken for a camping trip.
6. His parents were tickled pink when he told them that he was taking them for a vacation.
7. The employees were tickled pink when the company announced a fat bonus for everyone.
8. We were tickled pink when the guests complemented us on our new house.

Origin

The term is thought to have originated in the early 1900s, when the word “tickled” meant to be merry or laughing. “Pink” referred to a person’s flushed face or rosy complexion when they were joyful or excited. Consequently, someone who was “tickled pink” was exuberantly happy to the point of blushing. Since then, it has become a frequently used expression in English to express joy or excitement.

Colour