Having a big ego often means being overly self-confident or self-important. This blog post explores 20 idioms that capture the essence of ego in various ways. Whether positive or negative, these idioms highlight the complexities of dealing with someone’s inflated sense of self.
1. Big-headed
Meaning: Arrogant
Example: He’s too big-headed to apologize.
2. Full of oneself
Meaning: Self-centered
Example: She’s full of herself after the promotion.
3. Head in the clouds
Meaning: Daydreaming
Example: His head’s in the clouds, thinking he’s a genius.
4. High and mighty
Meaning: Acting superior
Example: She acts high and mighty with her new title.
5. Blow one’s own trumpet
Meaning: Self-praise
Example: He’s always blowing his own trumpet about his skills.
6. Ego trip
Meaning: Self-importance journey
Example: The award gave him an ego trip.
7. On a pedestal
Meaning: Admired excessively
Example: They put him on a pedestal, and now he’s insufferable.
8. Think highly of oneself
Meaning: Have high self-regard
Example: He thinks highly of himself and his abilities.
9. All that
Meaning: Overly confident
Example: She acts like she’s all that since the promotion.
10. King of the hill
Meaning: Top position
Example: He behaves like the king of the hill at work.
11. Cock of the walk
Meaning: Domineering
Example: He’s the cock of the walk in every meeting.
12. Put on airs
Meaning: Act superior
Example: She puts on airs around her colleagues.
13. Full of hot air
Meaning: Empty boasting
Example: His ideas are full of hot air, nothing substantial.
14. Peacock
Meaning: Show off
Example: He likes to peacock in front of the crowd.
15. Big cheese
Meaning: Important person
Example: He acts like the big cheese in the office.
16. Legend in one’s own mind
Meaning: Self-importance
Example: He’s a legend in his own mind, always boasting.
17. Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve
Meaning: Openly emotional
Example: She wears her heart on her sleeve, showing her pride.
18. Name-dropper
Meaning: Brags about connections
Example: He’s such a name-dropper, always mentioning famous people.
19. Self-made man/woman
Meaning: Proud of achievements
Example: He considers himself a self-made man, often bragging.
20. Top dog
Meaning: Dominant person
Example: She sees herself as the top dog in the team.
