# too big for one's britches

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/too-big-for-ones-britches
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Disturbingly confident, unacceptably cocky.

## Examples

- He is acting too big for his britches lately.
- After his promotion, he started acting too big for his britches and ignored his old friends.
- The young executive became far too big for his britches, eventually alienating the very mentors who had helped him climb the corporate ladder.

## Origin

US origin, 19th c.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.