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Meaning & use

all puffed up

adjective·Advancedinformaldisapproving

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UK/ˌɔːl ˈpʌft ʌp/
US/ˌɔːl ˈpʌft ʌp/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. adjectivenot comparableinformaldisapproving

    Behaving as if you are much more important or clever than you really are.

    Grammar: Used after a linking verb such as be, seem, or get; it cannot come before a noun.

    Patterns

    • be all puffed up about something
    • get all puffed up
    • all puffed up with pride

    He got all puffed up after the boss praised his report in front of everyone.

    She was all puffed up about her son's test score and told the whole street.

    Don't get all puffed up just because you won one game.

  2. adjectivenot comparableinformal

    Swollen and filled with air, often because of illness or injury.

    Grammar: Used after a linking verb; this literal sense is much less common than the proud sense.

    Patterns

    • be all puffed up
    • look all puffed up

    His ankle was all puffed up after the fall, so we put ice on it.

    The bird's feathers were all puffed up against the cold.

Common combinations

get all puffed up
He gets all puffed up whenever someone mentions his promotion.
be all puffed up about something
They were all puffed up about their new car.
all puffed up with pride
She walked in all puffed up with pride after winning the prize.
all puffed up like a peacock
After the award he was all puffed up like a peacock.

Synonyms and how they differ

conceited
A more general adjective for someone who thinks too highly of themselves; it can go before a noun, while 'all puffed up' cannot.
smug
Focuses on quiet self-satisfaction rather than showing off, so it fits a calm, pleased look better than loud boasting.
big-headed
Very close in tone and informality, but it describes a lasting personality, not a temporary mood after praise.

Opposites

humblemodest

Word family

puff up phrasal verb
To make something swell with air, or to make someone feel overly proud.
puffed adjective
Short form meaning swollen or out of breath, depending on context.
puffy adjective
Swollen, especially of eyes or skin.

Commonly confused: all puffed up or puffed out?

all puffed up vs puffed out

Means very tired and breathing hard, not proud; 'I was puffed out after the run' says nothing about arrogance.

Practice

After winning the debate, Tom was all puffed up and kept telling everyone how clever he was. What does 'all puffed up' mean here?

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