too big for one's britches
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editUS origin, 19th c.[1]
Pronunciation
editAudio (General Australian): (file)
Adjective
edittoo big for one's britches (not comparable)
- (idiomatic) Disturbingly confident, unacceptably cocky.
- Synonym: too big for one's boots
- 1989 May 22, Edwin M. Reingold, “Hard Times for Teflon Tom”, in Time:
- A diffident, dedicated man, Bradley seemed the personification of rectitude. He never got too big for his britches.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: Too large to fit into one's pants.
References
edit- ^ Gary Martin (1997–) “Too big for your breeches”, in The Phrase Finder.