Sometimes we feel proud of what we do, like winning a prize, finishing a project, or helping a friend. Instead of just saying “I’m proud,” people often use special phrases called idioms. These make language more fun and meaningful.
In this article, you will learn idioms that show pride. These idioms can describe how we feel when we do something great or when we’re proud of someone else. They help us talk about pride in creative ways. Let’s take a look at 30 idioms that express pride.
Idioms for Pride
1. Burst with pride
Meaning: To feel very proud and full of joy.
Samples: Her parents burst with pride when she got the award. / I was bursting with pride after finishing my project.
To Put it Another Way: They were really proud. / I felt so good inside.
2. Swell with pride
Meaning: To feel like your heart is full from being proud.
Samples: He swelled with pride when his name was called. / She swelled with pride watching her daughter perform.
To Put it Another Way: He felt super proud. / She was full of happy pride.
3. Beaming with pride
Meaning: Smiling happily because of feeling proud.
Samples: She was beaming with pride after the spelling bee. / He was beaming with pride when he showed his artwork.
To Put it Another Way: She smiled proudly. / He was full of joy.
4. Proud as a peacock
Meaning: Very proud and maybe showing off a little.
Samples: He walked into the room proud as a peacock. / She looked proud as a peacock in her new dress.
To Put it Another Way: He felt proud and showed it. / She was happy and confident.
5. Hold your head high
Meaning: To feel proud and confident.
Samples: Even when she lost, she held her head high. / He held his head high after speaking up.
To Put it Another Way: She felt good about herself. / He showed confidence.
6. Take pride in
Meaning: To feel good about something you do or are part of.
Samples: She takes pride in her schoolwork. / They take pride in helping the community.
To Put it Another Way: She feels proud of her work. / They care about doing their best.
7. Chest puffed out
Meaning: To stand tall and proud.
Samples: He walked with his chest puffed out after the win. / Her chest puffed out when she saw her name on the list.
To Put it Another Way: He looked proud. / She felt very happy.
8. Like a badge of honor
Meaning: Showing something with pride, even if it was hard.
Samples: He wore his cast like a badge of honor after the game. / She wore her paint stains like a badge of honor.
To Put it Another Way: He showed it proudly. / She wasn’t embarrassed—she was proud.
9. Glow with pride
Meaning: To shine or look bright because of pride.
Samples: She glowed with pride when she saw her test score. / He glowed with pride after building the robot.
To Put it Another Way: She looked very happy. / He was full of joy.
10. Walk tall
Meaning: To walk with pride and confidence.
Samples: He walked tall after scoring the winning goal. / She walked tall into the classroom.
To Put it Another Way: He looked proud. / She had confidence in herself.
11. Feel ten feet tall
Meaning: To feel really proud and confident.
Samples: He felt ten feet tall after helping his friend. / She felt ten feet tall when her teacher praised her work.
To Put it Another Way: He felt super proud. / She felt amazing inside.
12. Full of pride
Meaning: Feeling very proud.
Samples: She was full of pride when she saw her drawing on display. / He was full of pride after finishing the race.
To Put it Another Way: She was very proud. / He felt really good.
13. Smile from ear to ear
Meaning: To have a huge smile because of pride or joy.
Samples: He smiled from ear to ear after getting an A. / She smiled from ear to ear when her name was called.
To Put it Another Way: He couldn’t stop smiling. / She was so happy and proud.
14. Shine like a star
Meaning: To stand out proudly.
Samples: She shined like a star on stage. / He shined like a star during his speech.
To Put it Another Way: She stood out. / He showed confidence.
15. Walk on air
Meaning: To feel very happy and proud.
Samples: He was walking on air after the performance. / She walked on air when her idea was chosen.
To Put it Another Way: He felt great. / She was full of joy.
16. Over the moon
Meaning: Extremely proud and happy.
Samples: They were over the moon about their win. / I was over the moon after being picked.
To Put it Another Way: They were super proud. / I was really happy.
17. Puff up
Meaning: To act proud or confident.
Samples: He puffed up when they praised his work. / She puffed up during the contest.
To Put it Another Way: He showed off a little. / She stood tall with pride.
18. Have a proud moment
Meaning: To feel pride at a special time.
Samples: Her graduation was a proud moment. / That win was his proudest moment yet.
To Put it Another Way: It was a time to feel good. / She felt special and proud.
19. Lift your chin
Meaning: To show pride or confidence even in hard times.
Samples: He lifted his chin after losing the game. / She lifted her chin and smiled.
To Put it Another Way: He didn’t give up. / She stayed proud.
20. Stand tall
Meaning: To feel and show pride.
Samples: She stood tall when her name was announced. / He stood tall during his speech.
To Put it Another Way: She showed confidence. / He looked proud.
21. Show off
Meaning: To proudly display what you have or can do.
Samples: He showed off his trophy. / She showed off her painting to the class.
To Put it Another Way: He shared his success. / She wanted everyone to see.
22. Not afraid to shine
Meaning: Proud to be seen and noticed.
Samples: She’s not afraid to shine during presentations. / He’s not afraid to shine on the field.
To Put it Another Way: She feels confident. / He enjoys showing his skills.
23. Take a bow
Meaning: To accept applause or praise proudly.
Samples: He took a bow after his performance. / She took a bow for her hard work.
To Put it Another Way: He felt proud. / She accepted the praise.
24. Tip your hat
Meaning: To show respect or pride for someone’s actions.
Samples: I tip my hat to her for being so brave. / They tipped their hats to the team.
To Put it Another Way: I respect what she did. / They felt proud of the group.
25. Give yourself credit
Meaning: To recognize your own good work.
Samples: Give yourself credit—you worked hard. / She gave herself credit after solving the puzzle.
To Put it Another Way: Be proud of what you did. / She felt good about her effort.
26. Worth bragging about
Meaning: Something to feel proud of.
Samples: That trophy is worth bragging about. / Her grades are worth bragging about.
To Put it Another Way: It’s something to be proud of. / She did something great.
27. Be proud of your roots
Meaning: To feel pride in where you come from.
Samples: He’s proud of his roots and his hometown. / She’s proud of her family’s story.
To Put it Another Way: He values where he comes from. / She honors her background.
28. Take the spotlight
Meaning: To proudly be the center of attention.
Samples: She took the spotlight during the talent show. / He took the spotlight with his great idea.
To Put it Another Way: She stood out proudly. / He showed what he could do.
29. Feel proud to stand up
Meaning: To show pride when speaking or acting for yourself or others.
Samples: He felt proud to stand up for his friend. / She felt proud to stand up in front of the class.
To Put it Another Way: He was brave and proud. / She had courage and pride.
30. Make your mark
Meaning: To do something important and be remembered.
Samples: She made her mark in the science fair. / He made his mark on the team.
To Put it Another Way: She did something great. / He was proud of what he achieved.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Pride
Reading Passage: “The Art Show Surprise”
At Oakdale Elementary, the gym was filled with paintings and drawings for the school art show. Bella stood quietly near her table, waiting for the judges. She had worked hard all month. When the blue ribbon was placed on her painting, she started to glow with pride.
Her parents arrived and saw the ribbon. They were bursting with pride, taking pictures and smiling from ear to ear. Bella’s teacher walked over and said, “You should really hold your head high—you earned this.”
Bella stood tall in front of her classmates, and someone whispered, “She’s proud as a peacock!” Her little brother ran up and said, “You’re shining like a star!” Bella gave a little bow and took the spotlight.
As the crowd clapped, Bella couldn’t help but feel ten feet tall.
Your Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms for pride used in the passage.
Answer Key
- Glow with pride
- Bursting with pride
- Smile from ear to ear
- Hold your head high
- Stood tall
- Proud as a peacock
- Took the spotlight
- Feel ten feet tall
Conclusion
Pride is a strong feeling that comes from doing something well. Idioms about pride help us share this feeling in creative ways. They show how someone stands tall, shines, or smiles when they feel proud.
By learning these idioms, you can better describe proud moments in your own life or in stories. Whether it’s winning a contest or helping a friend, these expressions help us talk about pride in fun and meaningful ways.
