High and mighty

Definitions

• arrogant and pompous
  To describe someone who behaves in a haughty or superior manner

• powerful and influential
  To describe someone who holds a position of authority or importance

Examples of High and mighty

• The boss is acting very high and mighty today.

  The boss is behaving in a superior and arrogant manner, as though he or she is better or more important than others.

• Some politicians can be quite high and mighty when they think they're above the law.

  Certain politicians may feel that they are so powerful and influential that they are exempt from following the law.

• I found it ridiculous when she acted so high and mighty towards me just because I'm her junior.

  I found it unfair when she treated me with disrespect and superiority simply because I hold a lower position in the company.

• I refuse to be intimidated by her high and mighty attitude.

  I refuse to let her superior and arrogant behavior intimidate me or affect my confidence and self-respect.

• The CEO of our company is often criticized for being too high and mighty in his interactions with employees.

  This idiom is used to describe someone who behaves in an arrogant and condescending manner, as if they are superior to others. The phrase "high and mighty" literally means being in a position of power or authority, but in this context, it is used figuratively to refer to someone's excessive pride and self-importance.

• Some customers complained that the store's salesperson was acting too high and mighty, refusing to assist them with their queries.

  This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe someone's behavior towards others, suggesting that the salesperson behaved in an overbearing and disdainful way towards the customers.

• In the meeting, the project manager seemed a bit too high and mighty, insisting on his proposals despite opposition from the team.

  This example illustrates how the idiom can be used to describe someone's behavior in a professional context, highlighting how the project manager's pride and self-importance affected his decision-making and team-building skills.

• The former president's reputation as a high and mighty leader has left a sour taste in voters' mouths, with many feeling that he was too arrogant for politics.

  This example showcases how the idiom can be used to describe someone's reputation or image, suggesting that the former president's haughty and imperious demeanor may have contributed to his political downfall.

Conclusion

The idiom "high and mighty" can be used to describe someone who is arrogant and behaves in a haughty manner, as well as someone who holds a position of power and influence. It can be used to criticize someone's attitude or to acknowledge their authority.

Origin of "High and mighty"

The origin of the idiom "high and mighty" can be traced back to the 14th century, when it was used to describe people of high social status and power. The word "high" refers to their elevated position, while "mighty" emphasizes their strength and influence. Over time, the idiom evolved to also encompass the negative connotation of arrogance and haughtiness, reflecting a perception of those in positions of power as acting superior to others. Today, it is used in both a positive and negative context, depending on the intention behind its usage.