swelled head, to have a

have a swelled head

To be conceited, arrogant, or self-aggrandizing. Cheryl has such a big head on her, all she ever talks about is herself. Janice has had a bit of a big head ever since she got that promotion. Samantha has sure had a swelled head ever since her book became a bestseller.

See also: have, head, swell

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

swelled head, to have a

To be conceited. The image conveyed is that of having one’s self-importance augment one’s head size. The term dates from the nineteenth century. J. J. Cooper used it with appropriate disgust (Simon Suggs’ Adventures, 1845): “They’re all a pack of d——d swell-heads.”

See also: have, swell, to

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer