callus

have calluses from patting (one's) own back

To have excessively praised oneself for an achievement or a job well done. Tony was instrumental in the success of the merger—or so he says. I bet he has calluses from patting his own back. This was truly a team effort, so no one should have calluses from patting their own back about it. Thank goodness they got that guy off the stage. He was going to have calluses from patting his own back for his donation!

See also: back, callus, have, own, pat

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have calluses from patting one's own back

 and break one's arm patting oneself on the back

Fig. to be a braggart. If you haven't heard about Bill's latest achievement, he'd be glad to tell you. He has calluses from patting his own back. Jane: I did a really wonderful job, if I do say so myself. Tom: If you're not careful, you'll break your arm patting yourself on the back.

See also: back, callus, have, own, pat

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.