be above it all

To be unwilling to participate or engage in some activity because one considers it shameful, undignified, immoral, beneath one's rank, etc. I know you think you're above it all, but a manager who is unwilling to do the grunt work from time to time is going to have a hard time earning the respect of his employees. The whole group likes to gossip and snipe, but I've always tried to be above it all. I'm surprised that girl has any friends at all—she hardly ever comes to school, and, when she does, she's above it all.