趾高氣揚

Chinese
sole of the foot high; tall
 
gas; air; smell
gas; air; smell; weather; vital breath; to make sb. angry; to get angry; to be enraged
 hurl; to raise; to scatter
trad. (趾高氣揚) 趾 高 氣 揚
simp. (趾高气扬) 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:

莫敖必敗。舉趾高，心不固矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
莫敖必败。举趾高，心不固矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4th century BCE
Mò'áo bì bài. Jǔ zhǐ gāo, xīn bù gù yǐ. [Pinyin]
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
  • 趾氣高揚／趾气高扬
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