PhrasesHub

Fancy pants

    Definitions

      • Mocking someone's pretentiousness or showiness
        To tease or ridicule someone who is acting superior, flashy, or ostentatious, often in an exaggerated or exaggeratedly elegant manner

      • Describing high-quality or luxurious clothing
        To describe someone who is dressed in expensive or stylish clothing, often with a sense of admiration or envy

    Examples of Fancy pants

    • The CEO of the company dresses in fancy pants and designer suits all the time, trying to portray an image of success and sophistication.

      This idiom is used here to describe a person who excessively wears expensive and fashionable clothing, especially pants and suits, to show off their wealth and refined taste. It implies that the person may be more concerned with appearance than substance.

    • The high school girls at the dance event were all wearing fancy pants, showing off their figures and expensive clothes to impress their peers.

      In this case, the idiom is used to describe young women who wear expensive and fashionable pants, often tight-fitting or revealing, in order to look stylish and attractive, especially in social settings. It may suggest a focus on appearance and popularity rather than deeper values.

    • The protagonist in the novel wears plain jeans and t-shirts, refusing to conform to the trend of fancy pants and expensive clothes that his peers obsess over.

      This example uses the idiom in a contrasting way, to highlight someone who avoids the excessive fashion trends of others, instead preferring simpler and more practical clothing. It may suggest a focus on practicality, comfort, and individuality rather than conformity and materialism.

    • The ballet dancer donned her fancy pants and tutu for the performance, moving gracefully and elegantly across the stage.

      Here, the idiom is used to describe the specific and decorative pants worn by ballet dancers, as well as the tutu, in relation to their movements and overall aesthetic. It highlights the importance of proper clothing and attire in certain professions or performances, as well as the skills and grace required to execute them.

    • The CEO of the company is quite the fancy pants with his lavish suits and expensive car.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is overly extravagant or pretentious in their appearance or behavior, implying that they think too highly of themselves. In this example, the CEO is seen as someone who puts on airs, perhaps trying to appear more successful or impressive than he really is.

    • I didn't appreciate being talked down to by that fancy pants lawyer.

      This idiom is still used to describe someone who is acting in a condescending or superior manner towards others. In this example, the speaker felt disrespected by the lawyer's apparent belief that they were better or more important than the speaker.

    • The fancy pants marketing campaign didn't generate any sales, so the company decided to cut back.

      This idiom is used to describe a marketing or advertising strategy that is over-the-top or unnecessary, implying that it is not effective. In this example, the marketing campaign was deemed too extravagant or extravagant for the product being sold, and ultimately proved to be a waste of resources.

    • I've had enough of these fancy pants designer jeans that don't fit properly.

      This idiom is still used to refer to luxury clothing or other material possessions that are overly expensive or trendy, but don't necessarily serve a practical purpose. In this example, the speaker is frustrated with the performance or fit of expensive jeans, implying that they prefer more functional clothing options.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "fancy pants" has two main meanings that are related to each other. One is used to mock someone who is acting superior or showing off, while the other is used to describe someone who is dressed in expensive or stylish clothing. Both meanings have a sense of exaggeration and often carry a negative connotation.

    In the first meaning, "fancy pants" is often used to mock someone who is trying too hard to be impressive or glamorous. This could be someone who is showing off their wealth or status, or someone who is being overly pretentious. By using this idiom, the speaker is implying that the person is trying too hard and may not be as impressive as they think they are.

    The second meaning of "fancy pants" is more positive and is often used to describe someone who is dressed in expensive or stylish clothing. This can be used in a sarcastic or admiring way, depending on the tone and context. It can also be used to describe clothing or accessories that are considered luxurious or high-quality.

    Origin of "Fancy pants"

    The origin of the idiom "fancy pants" is believed to come from the early 19th century, when the phrase "fancy" was commonly used to describe something as elaborate or extravagant. The addition of "pants" was likely influenced by the British slang term "pants," which was used to describe someone who was considered pretentious or showy.

    Over time, the phrase evolved to its current form and is now used in both British and American English. It has also been adapted into other variations, such as "fancy-pants" or "fancy-pantsy," with a similar meaning. Overall, the idiom reflects a societal attitude towards those who try to appear more impressive or glamorous than they actually are.