pleased with oneself: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘pleased with oneself’ mean?

The idiom "pleased with oneself" means to feel a sense of satisfaction or pride in one's achievements or abilities, often to an excessive or self-centered extent.

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The idiom "pleased with oneself" is commonly used to describe someone who is excessively satisfied or proud of their own achievements or qualities. It implies a lack of humility or modesty. This idiom can be applied to personal achievements, professional success, or simply feeling good about one's appearance or abilities.

The origins of "pleased with oneself" can be traced back to the 16th century. The word "pleased" refers to a feeling of satisfaction or contentment, while "oneself" indicates a focus on the individual. When combined, the idiom suggests that the person in question is highly satisfied with their own actions, abilities, or accomplishments.

Despite its negative undertone, the idiom is widely recognized and understood throughout the English-speaking world. It carries a similar meaning and connotation regardless of regional or cultural differences.

Feeling pleased with my accomplishments, content and satisfied.

When someone is "pleased with oneself", they exhibit traits similar to being "full of oneself". Both expressions suggest an excessive amount of self-satisfaction, arrogance, and a lack of humility. However, being "full of oneself" is a more emphatic way of describing someone who is overly pleased with themselves and is often used to criticize or ridicule such behavior.

Another related idiom is "proud as a peacock". This expression refers to extreme satisfaction, pride, or self-importance. It conveys an image of someone displaying their achievements or qualities with exaggerated pride, like a peacock flaunting its vibrant feathers. While "pleased with oneself" and "proud as a peacock" share similarities in indicating excessive satisfaction, the latter is more vivid and expressive in its imagery.

It is important to distinguish "pleased with oneself" from "pleasure oneself". The former focuses on an individual's satisfaction with their own accomplishments or qualities, while the latter refers to a sexual act. "Pleasure oneself" is not related to self-satisfaction or pride in the same way as "pleased with oneself".

["Full of oneself", "pleasure oneself", and "proud as a peacock" are all related idioms that share a common theme of self-satisfaction or pride. Although each expression conveys a slightly different nuance, they all involve an excessive sense of self-importance or satisfaction.]

"pleased with oneself" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is excessively satisfied or proud of their own achievements or qualities. It implies a lack of humility or modesty. The idiom is widely recognized and understood throughout the English-speaking world, and its origins can be traced back to the 16th century. Other related idioms include "full of oneself" and "proud as a peacock", which convey similar concepts of excessive self-satisfaction. It is important to note that "pleased with oneself" should not be confused with "pleasure oneself", as the latter refers to a sexual act. Understanding and recognizing these idiomatic expressions can help to improve communication and contextual understanding in various personal and professional situations.

Example usage

- After acing her final exam, Sarah was pleased with herself. - He was pleased with himself when he completed the difficult puzzle. - Despite the criticism, the artist was pleased with herself for staying true to her unique style.

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