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too big for one's britches
01
behaving in a manner that highlights one's often non-existant superiority over others
Dialect
American
American
Disapproving
Idiom
Informal
Old use
What is the origin of the idiom "too big for one's britches" and when to use it?
The phrase "too big for one's britches" is an American English idiom that has its roots in the early 19th century. This idiom is used to describe individuals who overestimate their abilities, take on more responsibility than they can handle, or tend to behave in a selfish manner.
Examples
He acted too big for his britches when he started giving orders to the seniors.
