Sometimes, we feel really happy about something we did well. It might be getting a good grade, winning a game, or helping someone. That strong, happy feeling is called being proud. When we are proud, we want to share our success and let others know we did something special. People use idioms to talk about this feeling in fun and creative ways.
Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They help us understand feelings in a more interesting way. In this article, we will learn 30 idioms that describe feeling proud. These idioms can make your speaking and writing more exciting. Let’s take a look at some easy and fun ways to talk about feeling proud.
Idioms for Proud
1. As proud as a peacock
Meaning: Feeling very pleased or confident.
Samples: He walked into class as proud as a peacock after winning the contest. / She looked as proud as a peacock in her new dress.
To Put it Another Way: He felt very good about himself. / She was showing off with confidence.
2. Burst with pride
Meaning: To feel very proud and full of happiness.
Samples: His parents burst with pride when he got the award. / She was bursting with pride after finishing her project.
To Put it Another Way: They felt so proud they could hardly keep it in. / She was full of pride and joy.
3. Swell with pride
Meaning: To feel so proud that it shows on your face or in how you act.
Samples: He swelled with pride when his name was called. / The team swelled with pride after the big win.
To Put it Another Way: He looked proud. / They felt really good about their success.
4. Beaming with pride
Meaning: Smiling and looking happy because of being proud.
Samples: She was beaming with pride when her drawing was on the wall. / He beamed with pride after scoring the goal.
To Put it Another Way: She smiled proudly. / He was clearly happy and proud.
5. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy and proud.
Samples: She was on cloud nine after being chosen as class leader. / He felt like he was on cloud nine after the performance.
To Put it Another Way: She was floating with joy. / He felt amazing and proud.
6. Walking on air
Meaning: Feeling extremely happy and proud.
Samples: He was walking on air after his speech. / She felt like she was walking on air when the teacher praised her.
To Put it Another Way: He was very happy. / She felt proud and light.
7. Pat on the back
Meaning: To feel good about doing something well.
Samples: Give yourself a pat on the back for your hard work. / He got a pat on the back for helping out.
To Put it Another Way: He felt proud for doing a good thing. / She knew she did well.
8. Feather in your cap
Meaning: A great achievement to be proud of.
Samples: Winning the spelling bee was a feather in her cap. / His artwork was a feather in his cap.
To Put it Another Way: It was something to brag about. / She earned something special.
9. Hold your head high
Meaning: To feel proud and confident.
Samples: She held her head high after standing up for her friend. / He held his head high even when others laughed.
To Put it Another Way: She was proud of her actions. / He didn’t let others bring him down.
10. Glow with pride
Meaning: To look proud and happy.
Samples: He glowed with pride as he talked about his team. / She was glowing with pride after finishing the race.
To Put it Another Way: He looked happy and proud. / Her face showed how proud she was.
11. Take pride in
Meaning: To feel proud of doing something well.
Samples: She takes pride in her schoolwork. / He takes pride in helping others.
To Put it Another Way: She is happy about her good work. / He is proud of what he does.
12. Pride and joy
Meaning: Someone or something that makes you very proud.
Samples: His daughter is his pride and joy. / That science project is her pride and joy.
To Put it Another Way: He loves her and is proud. / She’s happy about what she made.
13. Make your chest puff out
Meaning: To feel proud and stand tall.
Samples: His chest puffed out when he got praised. / She walked with her chest puffed out after winning.
To Put it Another Way: He stood tall with pride. / She looked very proud.
14. Full of yourself
Meaning: Feeling proud in a way that shows too much confidence.
Samples: He was full of himself after getting picked first. / She acted full of herself at the party.
To Put it Another Way: He thought he was better than others. / She showed off too much.
15. Show off
Meaning: To act proud in front of others.
Samples: He showed off his new shoes. / She was showing off her trophy at lunch.
To Put it Another Way: He wanted others to notice. / She was being flashy.
16. On top of the world
Meaning: Feeling very proud and happy.
Samples: She felt on top of the world after getting an A. / He was on top of the world when he got chosen.
To Put it Another Way: She felt amazing. / He was very proud.
17. Have something to brag about
Meaning: To be proud of something and want to tell others.
Samples: He had something to brag about after the game. / Her drawing gave her something to brag about.
To Put it Another Way: He was proud of his success. / She wanted others to know what she did.
18. Wear it like a badge of honor
Meaning: To show off something you’re proud of.
Samples: She wore her scout badge like a badge of honor. / He wore his glasses like a badge of honor.
To Put it Another Way: She was proud of it. / He didn’t hide it.
19. Make someone proud
Meaning: To do something that makes others happy and proud of you.
Samples: He made his parents proud by helping out. / She made her teacher proud with her essay.
To Put it Another Way: They felt happy because of what he did. / She did something good.
20. Put a smile on someone’s face
Meaning: Doing something good that makes others proud or happy.
Samples: His kind words put a smile on her face. / She put a smile on the teacher’s face with her kindness.
To Put it Another Way: He made her feel proud. / She did something nice.
21. Rise to the occasion
Meaning: To do something well when it really matters.
Samples: He rose to the occasion during the big test. / She rose to the occasion at the play.
To Put it Another Way: He did a great job. / She handled it well and proudly.
22. Proud moment
Meaning: A time when you feel very proud.
Samples: That was a proud moment for her family. / His proud moment was finishing the marathon.
To Put it Another Way: It was a time to feel good. / Everyone was happy for him.
23. Stand tall
Meaning: To be proud and confident.
Samples: She stood tall after finishing the race. / He stood tall during his speech.
To Put it Another Way: She was proud of herself. / He showed courage and pride.
24. You nailed it
Meaning: You did something very well and should be proud.
Samples: You nailed it in that presentation! / She nailed it in the spelling bee.
To Put it Another Way: You did a great job. / Be proud of how well you did.
25. Take a bow
Meaning: To accept praise for something you did well.
Samples: After her song, she took a bow. / He smiled and took a bow when people clapped.
To Put it Another Way: She accepted the praise. / He was proud and thankful.
26. Look at what I did
Meaning: To show something you’re proud of.
Samples: He said, “Look at what I did!” after building the robot. / She showed her painting and said, “Look at what I did.”
To Put it Another Way: He was happy to share. / She felt proud and excited.
27. A proud day
Meaning: A day that made you feel really proud.
Samples: Graduation was a proud day for him. / Her proud day was when she led the school event.
To Put it Another Way: It was a day to remember. / She did something great.
28. Shine bright
Meaning: To do something well and stand out proudly.
Samples: She shined bright on stage. / He shined bright during the class debate.
To Put it Another Way: She did really well. / He stood out proudly.
29. Earn your stripes
Meaning: To prove yourself and feel proud of your success.
Samples: He earned his stripes by working hard. / She earned her stripes in the school club.
To Put it Another Way: He proved he could do it. / She worked hard and felt proud.
30. That’s my boy/girl!
Meaning: Said by someone who is proud of a child or friend.
Samples: “That’s my girl!” her mom cheered. / “That’s my boy!” the coach shouted.
To Put it Another Way: Someone was proud of them. / It showed love and pride.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Proud
Activity Title: “The Big Show”
It was the night of the school talent show, and everyone was excited. Maya stood backstage, holding her guitar. Her dad gave her a thumbs-up and said, “That’s my girl!” Maya smiled, feeling on top of the world.
When her name was called, she stepped onto the stage and held her head high. The lights were bright, but she didn’t feel nervous. As she started to sing, her mom in the front row was beaming with pride. Maya’s voice filled the room. She was shining bright, giving her best.
After her song, the crowd cheered. She smiled and took a bow. Backstage, her friend Alex said, “You nailed it!” Maya felt her heart swell with pride.
Later, her teacher gave her a hug and said, “This is a proud moment for you.” Maya agreed. She truly felt like she had earned her stripes.
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for proud that you find in this story.
Answer Key
- That’s my girl
- On top of the world
- Held her head high
- Beaming with pride
- Shining bright
- Took a bow
- You nailed it
- Earned her stripes
Conclusion
Feeling proud is a part of growing and learning. When you do something well, it’s okay to feel good about it. Idioms help us talk about these proud moments in fun and creative ways.
By using these expressions, you can share your success in a way others understand. So next time you do something great, think about how to say it with pride maybe you’ll even say you were “on top of the world.”
