pride goes before a/the fall
proverb Having too much pride or confidence will cause one to make mistakes that lead to a setback or failure. The phrase is adapted from a verse in the Book of Proverbs in the Bible: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." A: "He's so unwilling to delegate any responsibility to anyone else that I'm sure he's going to end up crumbling beneath all the pressure." B: "Well, pride goes before a fall." A: "There's no way they'd fire me—I'm way too important to the company!" B: "Just be careful, Tom. Pride goes before the fall, after all."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Pride goes before a fall.
and Pride goeth before a fall.Prov. If you are too proud and overconfident, you will make mistakes leading to your defeat. (Biblical.) Sue: I'm the best student in my history class. I'm sure I can pass the exam without studying very hard. Sam: Be careful. Pride goes before a fall, you know.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
pride goes (or comes) before a fall
if you're too conceited or self-important, something will happen to make you look foolish. This phrase is adapted from Proverbs 16:18: ‘Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall’. Goes before here means ‘precedes’.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017