🦁 Swallow One’s Pride, To 🌻
Definition:
To humble oneself when circumstances demand it. The verb “to swallow” has been used in the meaning of putting up with unpleasantness since about 1600. The original phrase was “to swallow one’s spittle,” which denoted suppressing anger or some other strong emotion. It appeared in the Bible, “How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?” (Job 7:19).
Related Terms & Synonyms:
- Eat humble pie 🥧
- Bite the bullet 🏴
- Bite one’s tongue 😷
- Suck it up 😳
- Pay the piper 🎶
- Take it on the chin 🥊
Antonyms:
- Stand one’s ground 🚩
- Hold fast 🏔️
- Dig in one’s heels 🦶
Quotes:
- “Swallow your pride occasionally, it’s non-fattening!” — Anonymous
- “Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.” — Ezra Taft Benson
Proverbs & Sayings:
- “He who humbles himself shall be exalted.” — Old Proverb
- “Humility leads to strength and not to weakness. It is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.” — John J. McCloy
Suggested Reading:
Literature:
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen — a classic tale exploring the pitfalls of pride.
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee — witness Atticus Finch’s exemplary humility.
Poetry:
- “If—” by Rudyard Kipling — reflects the virtues of modesty and resilience.
Movies & TV:
- “The Pursuit of Happyness” — A true story about overcoming pride and adversity.
- “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” — A journey of self-discovery and humility.
Songs:
- “Let It Be” by The Beatles — Sometimes, accepting things as they are is the ultimate humility.
Quizzes:
### What does "swallow one’s pride" imply?
- [ ] Eating a snack while upset
- [x] Humbly accepting a difficult or humiliating situation
- [ ] Drinking bitter medicine
- [ ] Proving one’s point despite opposition
> **Explanation:** "Swallow one’s pride" means to humble oneself and accept humiliation or acknowledge a mistake.
### What is a synonym for "swallow one’s pride"?
- [x] Eat humble pie
- [ ] Strut your stuff
- [ ] Sing praises
- [ ] Flaunt wealth
> **Explanation:** "Eat humble pie" is a synonym of "swallow one’s pride," both suggesting humility and modesty.
### The phrase "bite the bullet" is similar to:
- [ ] Stand one’s ground
- [x] Swallow one’s pride
- [ ] Hold fast
- [ ] Bask in glory
> **Explanation:** "Bite the bullet" and "swallow one’s pride" both involve accepting an unpleasant situation without complaint.
### True or False: 'Stand tall' is an antonym to 'swallow one’s pride'
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** "Stand tall" implies maintaining pride and not yielding, which is contrary to "swallow one’s pride."
“May your journey be rich in humility and filled with the light of wisdom. Remember, embracing humility does not lessen you; it amplifies your true strength.”
—W.T. Wittywords
