Question

Too Big for Your Britches conceited; swelled with self-importance; haughty

Accepted Answer

I used to like George when he was a little kid, but now I think he's grown too big for his britches. This is an old American expression that goes back more than 200 years. Britches (also spelled "breeches") is an old word for pants. If a person swelled with feelings of self-importance, he or she might burst right out of his or her clothes. Another version of this saying is "too big for your boots." A related idiom that captures the same puffed-up-with-self-worth idea is "stuffed shirt" (see page 184). Of course, you could also be rightfully proud of yourself or a loved one, and therefore be "bursting at the seams."

Idiom	Too Big for Your Britches
Example	I used to like George when he was a little kid, but now I think he's grown too big for his britches.
Meaning	conceited; swelled with self-importance; haughty
Origin	This is an old American expression that goes back more than 200 years. Britches (also spelled "breeches") is an old word for pants. If a person swelled with feelings of self-importance, he or she might burst right out of his or her clothes. Another version of this saying is "too big for your boots." A related idiom that captures the same puffed-up-with-self-worth idea is "stuffed shirt" (see page 184). Of course, you could also be rightfully proud of yourself or a loved one, and therefore be "bursting at the seams."

Big Britches I Swelled George Kid Grown Conceited