false modesty

false modesty (countable and uncountable, plural false modesties)

1. Behavior that is intended to seem humble but comes across as fake and unflattering.

   Although having a large ego is considered undesirable, at times it is proper to take credit where it is due rather than display false modesty.

   • 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter VIII, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:

     At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy ; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.

• humblebrag