Meaning & use
display of big-headedness
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Meaning
phrasecountable
an act or show of arrogance or conceit, when someone behaves as if they are better or more important than others.
Grammar: It is a noun phrase and can take a plural: displays of big-headedness. It often follows verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'constitute'.
Patterns
- a display of big-headedness
- displays of big-headedness
- be a display of big-headedness
His refusal to listen to anyone else was a clear display of big-headedness.
The manager's constant boasting about his own success was just a display of big-headedness.
She saw the whole thing as a childish display of big-headedness, not real confidence.
Word forms
| plural | displays of big-headedness |
|---|
Common combinations
- a clear display of big-headedness
- His rude comment was a clear display of big-headedness.
- a childish display of big-headedness
- The way he bragged about his grades seemed like a childish display of big-headedness.
- a public display of big-headedness
- Her speech turned into a public display of big-headedness.
- be seen as a display of big-headedness
- Refusing help can be seen as a display of big-headedness.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arrogance
- Arrogance is a general attitude of feeling superior, while 'display of big-headedness' focuses on a single act or show of that attitude.
- conceit
- Conceit is a more formal word for excessive pride in oneself; 'big-headedness' is informal and often used about everyday behavior.
- swagger
- Swagger suggests a bold, confident way of walking or behaving, not necessarily arrogant, while this phrase clearly means showing off arrogance.
Opposites
Word family
- big-headed adjective
- behaving as if you are better or more important than others; arrogant.
- bighead noun
- an informal word for a person who is arrogant or conceited.
Commonly confused: display of big-headedness or big-heartedness?
display of big-headedness vs big-heartedness
Big-heartedness means generosity and kindness, the opposite of big-headedness. Do not confuse the two.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase 'display of big-headedness' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase means an act showing arrogance, so bragging fits. Helping someone or apologizing shows modesty, not big-headedness, and a team's victory is not an act of arrogance by itself.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “display of big-headedness”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.