Too big for your breeches

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• arrogance
  Criticize someone for being overly proud or self-confident, especially when they are not as capable or important as they think

Examples of Too big for your breeches

• John, still a newcomer in the industry, tried to negotiate a salary package that was too big for his breeches. He thought he could command a six-figure salary because he had some prior experience in a similar role, but his prospective employer politely declined and offered him a much lower salary.

  The phrase "too big for your breeches" means that one is being overconfident or presumptuous beyond one's abilities or experience. In this example, John was trying to negotiate a salary package that exceeded his actual worth and expertise in the industry. As a consequence, his prospective employer saw him as overconfident and presumptuous, resulting in a lower salary offer.

• The startup founder, who had only a small team and limited resources, made extravagant promises to his investors that were too big for his breeches. He promised them a return on investment within a year and a valuation of the company in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but neither of these promises could be kept. The investors lost faith in him, and he was eventually forced out of the company.

  In this example, the founder's promises were beyond his abilities to deliver, as he did not have the resources, expertise, or market conditions necessary to meet those promises. His investors saw him as overconfident and presumptuous, leading to a loss of faith and his eventual removal from the company.

• The student, who was new to the course, tried to answer a question that was too big for his breeches. He confidently raised his hand and answered a complicated question without understanding the basics, confusing his classmates and the teacher.

  In this example, the student's answer was beyond his knowledge and understanding of the course material. His classmates and teacher saw him as overconfident and presumptuous, leading to confusion and embarrassment.

• The comedian, who was just starting out, made jokes that were too big for his breeches. He tried to impress the audience with his raunchy humor, but they found it too crude and vulgar. His performance bombed, and he received negative reviews from the critics.

  In this example, the comedian's humor was beyond the audience's tolerance level, leading to negative feedback and criticism. His attempts to impress the audience with his humor were seen as overconfident and presumptuous, resulting in a poor showing.

• The new marketing executive tried to take charge of the team meeting, but her overconfident demeanor made her come across as too big for her breeches.

  The idiom "too big for your breeches" is used to describe someone who behaves in a conceited or arrogant manner, as if they are superior or more important than they actually are. In this example, the marketing executive's behavior in the team meeting was perceived as overbearing and condescending, making her appear as if she thought she was beyond the boundaries of respect and humility.

• The young student tried to argue against the professor's point of view, but his lack of knowledge and tact made him seem too big for his breeches.

  In this case, the student's attempt to challenge the professor's expertise came across as presumptuous and rude, as if he thought he knew more than the professor. This made him appear, in the eyes of his peers and the professor, to be acting in a manner that exceeded the bounds of his authority and knowledge.

• The fresh CEO was used to calling the shots in his last company, but he soon realized that his overbearing management style was making him appear too big for his breeches in this new company.

  This example shows how someone's habit of being too authoritative or overbearing can become a liability in a new environment. The CEO's uncomfortable realization that his leadership style wasn't working in his new company highlights the danger of not adapting one's behavior to suit the circumstances.

• The seasoned politician, known for his sharp tongue and no-nonsense approach, was seen as too big for his breeches by his opponents when he refused to compromise on a crucial issue.

  In this example, the politician's refusal to compromise on a crucial issue was perceived as arrogance and stubbornness, which made him appear as if he was beyond the bounds of reason and diplomacy. His opponents saw him as too big for his breeches, which, in this case, translated to being too obstinate and arrogant to compromise.

Conclusion

The idiom "too big for your breeches" can be used to discourage someone from a particular action or to criticize someone for being arrogant and overly proud. It is often used to caution against overestimating one's abilities or importance.

Origin of "Too big for your breeches"

The phrase "too big for your breeches" originated in the 19th century and is derived from the literal meaning of the word "breeches," which refers to a type of trousers that were worn by men and boys. In the past, breeches were a symbol of maturity and adulthood, and the idiom evolved from the idea of someone trying to appear more grown-up or important than they actually were. Over time, the phrase has come to be used figuratively to criticize someone for behaving in an overly confident or arrogant manner. The idiom highlights the importance of humility and self-awareness.

Examples of the idiom can be found in literature and everyday speech, where it is used to caution against overestimating one's abilities or to criticize someone for being overly proud. Overall, the origins of the idiom "too big for your breeches" reflect the timeless human tendency to overestimate oneself and the need for humility.