What is the origin of the idiom "a hive of activity" and when to use it?

The phrase "a hive of activity" is believed to have originated in the early 19th century and is a reference to the frenzied activity of bees in a beehive. It is used to describe a place or situation where there is a lot of activity, energy, and movement and can be used to describe a busy workplace, a bustling city, or any situation where there is a lot of action and movement.