jumped-up

[ juhmpt-uhp ]

adjective

, Chiefly British.

1. having recently gained prominence or fame and appearing arrogant.

jumped-up

adjective

1. informal.
   suddenly risen in significance, esp when appearing arrogant

Word History and Origins

Origin of jumped-up¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Regular soldiers looked down on General Hamdan and his paramilitaries as a motley crew — “a bunch of jumped-up yahoos from the sticks, not proper military men,” as one Western ambassador put it.

From New York Times

In the trenches, boyhood crushes and childish rivalries are transformed into pointless braveries and deadly squabbles, love and hate wielded like bayonets in the hands of jumped-up children.

From New York Times

He loathes these new “jumped-up bookshops that masquerade as art galleries with nice little walnut tables.”

From New York Times

When associates of a leading minister refer to you as “that jumped-up oik”, you may sense you’re not winning friends in high places.

From The Guardian

The guys animate their answers with fist pumping and jumped-up bro hugs and take-thats and all manner of behaviors that make it seem like we’re participating in football practice and not a dry Quiz Bowl.

From Literature