Pride is a complex emotion that can be both positive and negative, reflecting one’s self-respect and achievements or leading to arrogance and vanity. Idioms often capture these nuances. Here are 20 idioms that describe different aspects of pride, each with a brief meaning and an example sentence.
1. Full of Yourself
Meaning: Arrogant
Example: She’s so full of herself after getting that promotion.
2. Pride Comes Before a Fall
Meaning: Arrogance leads to trouble
Example: Remember, pride comes before a fall, so stay humble.
3. On Top of the World
Meaning: Extremely proud
Example: He felt on top of the world after winning the championship.
4. To Take Pride In
Meaning: Be proud of
Example: She takes pride in her children’s achievements.
5. Put on Airs
Meaning: Act superior
Example: He always puts on airs when talking about his wealth.
6. Swell with Pride
Meaning: Feel very proud
Example: She swelled with pride when her son graduated.
7. Cock of the Walk
Meaning: Dominant, proud
Example: Ever since he became the manager, he’s been the cock of the walk.
8. Cut Down to Size
Meaning: Humble someone
Example: His arrogance was cut down to size after he lost the game.
9. Take a Bow
Meaning: Accept praise proudly
Example: She took a bow for her outstanding performance.
10. Stand Tall
Meaning: Be proud
Example: He stood tall after defending his thesis successfully.
11. Have a High Opinion of Oneself
Meaning: Think highly of oneself
Example: She has a high opinion of herself, which can be off-putting.
12. Hold Your Head High
Meaning: Be confident and proud
Example: Despite the criticism, she held her head high.
13. Burst with Pride
Meaning: Feel extremely proud
Example: He was bursting with pride when his team won.
14. Pat Oneself on the Back
Meaning: Self-congratulate
Example: He patted himself on the back for finishing the project early.
15. Peacocking
Meaning: Showing off
Example: He was peacocking at the party with his new suit.
16. Strut Your Stuff
Meaning: Show off proudly
Example: She loves to strut her stuff on the dance floor.
17. Walk with a Swagger
Meaning: Walk confidently
Example: After his promotion, he walked with a swagger.
18. Vanity Knows No Bounds
Meaning: Extremely vain
Example: His vanity knows no bounds when it comes to his appearance.
19. Be All That
Meaning: Think highly of oneself
Example: She acts like she’s all that since she got the lead role.
20. Head Held High
Meaning: Confident and proud
Example: She walked out with her head held high after the meeting.
