趾高氣揚

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Chinese

sole of the foot high; tall
gas; air; smell
gas; air; smell; weather; vital breath; to make someone angry; to get angry; to be enraged
 
hurl; to raise; to scatter
trad. (趾高氣揚)
simp. (趾高气扬)
alternative forms 足高氣揚足高气扬
Literally: “to walk with a high-stepping gait and look proud”.

Etymology

From the book Zuozhuan:

莫敖 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
莫敖 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4th century BCE
Mò'áo bì bài. Jǔ zhǐ gāo, xīn bù gù yǐ.
The Mo'ao will certainly be defeated. He walks high in his steps; ― his mind is not firm.

Pronunciation


Idiom

趾高氣揚

  1. (derogatory) to be on one's high horse; to be very self-righteous; to be arrogant

Synonyms