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)

  1. (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.
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: Too large to fit into one's pants.

References
  1. Gary Martin (1997–) “Too big for your breeches”, in The Phrase Finder.
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