Definition

Noun: An attitude of arrogant superiority; a haughty, condescending, or self-righteous manner. The phrase implies someone is acting as if they are morally or intellectually superior to others.

Usage

This noun is almost exclusively used in the idiom "to get off (one's) high horse". It describes a state of mind or behavior, not a physical object. It is used to criticize someone for being pompous, dismissive, or overly proud.

Examples

• The manager needs to get off his high horse and listen to the team's suggestions.
• She was on her high horse about healthy eating until she was caught buying junk food.
• "Get off your high horse," he said. "You make mistakes too."

Advanced Usage

• To be on (one's) high horse: To be behaving in an arrogant or condescending way.
  • Ever since she got promoted, she's been on her high horse.
• To climb/mount (one's) high horse: To adopt an attitude of arrogant superiority.
  • He climbed onto his high horse as soon as the debate began.

Variants and Related Words

• Haughtiness (n): The appearance or quality of being arrogantly superior.
• Condescension (n): An attitude of patronizing superiority.
• Pomposity (n): The quality of being self-important.

Synonyms

Arrogance, haughtiness, condescension, pomposity, self-righteousness.

Related Idioms

• "Get off your high horse": An imperative phrase telling someone to stop being arrogant, condescending, or self-righteous and to be more humble or reasonable.
  • You need to get off your high horse and apologize.
• "On one's high horse": Describing someone who is currently acting in a superior and arrogant manner.
  • I can't talk to her when she's on her high horse.

Noun

1. an attitude of arrogant superiority
   • get off your high horse and admit you are wrong