too big for one's britches
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
US origin, 19th c.[1]
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Adjective
too big for one's britches (not comparable)
- (idiomatic) Disturbingly confident, unacceptably cocky.
- Synonym: too big for one's boots
- 1989, Edwin M. Reingold, "Hard Times for Teflon Tom," Time, 22 May:
- 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
- ^ Gary Martin (1997–) “Too big for your breeches”, in The Phrase Finder.