put on airs

Idioms and Phrases

Assume a haughty manner, pretend to be better than one is, as in I'm sick of Claire and the way she puts on airs. Airs here means “a manner of superiority.” [c. 1700]

Example Sentences

Zaluzhny was already known as an ambitious and modern commander, but also an unpretentious man who liked to joke with his subordinates and didn't put on airs.

From BBC

Mr. Silvestri, who once waited on Ms. Turner, said she did not put on airs.

From New York Times

Adams, who identifies as two-spirit — the term used by Indigenous communities for those who are nonbinary — did not put on airs.

From New York Times

Sometimes you get intimidated by people because of their intellect, but she never put on airs.

From Seattle Times

“The Philosophy of Modern Song” is a mouthful, a phrase that puts on airs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogant
• cold
• remote