Definition

1. Adjective (idiomatic):
   • To have a swelled head / to become conceited: This phrase describes a person who becomes arrogant, proud, or full of themselves, typically due to success, praise, or achievement. It implies an inflated sense of self-importance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Được khen vài câu, nó đã phổng mũi lên rồi. (Praised just a few times, he already got a swelled head.)
  • Cô ấy phổng mũi vì thành tích mới đạt được. (She became conceited because of her newly achieved accomplishments.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost always used in a negative or critical sense to warn against or criticize arrogance that stems from success.

Variants and Related Words

• Lên mặt (v): to put on airs, to act superior.
  • Anh ta bắt đầu lên mặt sau khi được thăng chức. (He started putting on airs after getting promoted.)

Synonyms

• Conceited: excessively proud of oneself.
• Arrogant: having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance.
• To have a big head: (idiomatic) to be overly proud.

Related Idioms

• Được voi đòi tiên: to give an inch and take a mile; to become greedy for more after a small success.
  • Đừng phổng mũi rồi được voi đòi tiên. (Don't get a swelled head and then ask for too much.)