Definition

Idiom (figurative expression): - To be beaming with pride; to feel very proud and pleased with oneself. This idiom describes a state of visible satisfaction and pride, often due to personal achievement, recognition, or the success of someone closely related (like a child). It suggests one's pride is so great it metaphorically causes one's nose to swell or beam.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Con trai bà ấy đỗ đại học, bà ấy nở mũi lắm. (Her son got into university, she is beaming with pride.)
  • Được thầy giáo khen trước cả lớp, nó nở mũi ra. (Being praised by the teacher in front of the whole class, he swelled with pride.)
  • Anh ấy nở mũi vì ý tưởng của mình được chấp nhận. (He was puffed up with pride because his idea was accepted.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiom is often used in informal, colloquial contexts. It can sometimes carry a slightly humorous or teasing tone when observing someone's obvious pride.
• It is typically used to describe a temporary state of pride resulting from a specific event or accomplishment.

Variants and Related Words

• Hãnh diện (adj): proud, feeling deep pleasure from one's own achievements or qualities.
  • Cô ấy rất hãnh diện về thành tích của con. (She is very proud of her child's achievement.)
• Tự hào (adj): proud, having a feeling of deep satisfaction from one's own or another's achievements.
  • Chúng tôi tự hào về truyền thống của gia đình. (We are proud of our family's tradition.)

Synonyms

• Be puffed up with pride: To show excessive pride.
• Be over the moon: To be extremely pleased and happy.
• Be full of oneself: To be very self-satisfied and proud (can be negative).

Related Idioms

• Mặt mày hớn hở: To have a radiant, joyfully beaming face.
  • Nghe tin vui, anh ấy mặt mày hớn hở. (Hearing the good news, his face lit up with joy.)
• Vênh váo: To be haughty, to act arrogantly because of pride (more negative than "nở mũi").
  • Đừng có vênh váo chỉ vì được khen một lần. (Don't get haughty just because you were praised once.)

1. (thông tục) Be beaming (swollen) with pride