Put on airs, to
Definition:
To assume a superior manner or appearance to which one has no real claim. “Airs” here refers to a facade of superiority.
Origin:
The idiom appeared in print around 1700. Joseph Addison used it in his travel account of Italy (1704): “Which easily discovers the Airs they give themselves.”
Similar Terms and Phrases
- Act high-and-mighty: To behave as if you are better than others.
- Look down one’s nose at: To regard with disdain or contempt.
- Get on your high horse: To behave arrogantly or snobbishly.
- Put on frills: To show off or put on a pretentious display.
- Give oneself airs: An even older phrase with the same meaning.
Fun with Words: Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms:
- Arrogant
- Pretentious
- Snobbish
- Haughty
- Supercilious
Antonyms:
- Humble
- Modest
- Unassuming
- Down-to-earth
- Unpretentious
Humor and Witticisms
“She’s so full of herself, even her shadow looks down on people!” 🙄
“They were putting on so many airs, I needed an oxygen mask!”
Literature, Books, and Movie References
- Literature: In “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, several characters, especially Lady Catherine de Bourgh, are experts at putting on airs.
- Books: “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts Jay Gatsby putting on airs to attract Daisy Buchanan.
- Movies: Watch the character of Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada” for an entertaining take on putting on airs.
Inspirational Closing
“Be yourself—no one else is qualified.” Embracing authenticity over pretentiousness keeps us genuine and relatable. Let’s put away the airs and embrace the essence!
### Which of these phrases means the same as "put on airs"?
- [x] Get on your high horse
- [ ] Playing without a net
- [ ] Drinking from a firehose
- [ ] Building castles in the sky
> **Explanation:** "Get on your high horse" is a genuine phrase meaning to behave arrogantly, just like "put on airs."
### Is "give oneself airs" an older or newer version of "put on airs"?
- [ ] Newer
- [x] Older
> **Explanation:** "Give oneself airs" is an even older phrase with precisely the same meaning as "put on airs."
### True or False: "Look down one's nose at" is a synonymous idiom to "put on airs."
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Absolutely! Both idioms imply a haughty or superior attitude toward others.
### Select the antonym of "put on airs."
- [ ] Arrogant
- [ ] Snobbish
- [ ] Pretentious
- [x] Unassuming
> **Explanation:** "Unassuming" means modest or humble, which is the opposite of putting on airs.
### What novel features characters like Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who frequently put on airs?
- [ ] Moby-Dick
- [ ] War and Peace
- [x] Pride and Prejudice
- [ ] 1984
> **Explanation:** Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice" showcases several characters who put on airs, especially Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Get ready to dive deep into the whimsical world of words, where attitudes fly high but sanity stays grounded. 🎈
