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

To avoid answering the question straightforwardly, Noem is attempting to put on airs of that’s classified or this is a national security matter without quite saying so, because that would be absurd.

From Slate

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

“They’re not powerful because of their education or their age, and they’re not the people we’re used to seeing on TV. I like the people on our show because they don’t put on airs. They are real.”

From Washington Post

“He didn’t have a facade. Never put on airs. If he was crabby, you knew it. If he was angry, he’d let you know. His temper could give Darth Vader a run for his money. But if he was happy, everyone was happy.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• arrogant
• cold
• remote