up one’s own ass: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘up one's own ass’ mean?
The idiom "up one's own ass" means to be self-absorbed, arrogant, and overly focused on oneself without considering or valuing others. It signifies a lack of awareness or concern for the needs or perspectives of others.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom *your ass* is a vulgar slang expression used to emphasize or challenge the truth or accuracy of something someone has said or suggested.
The idiom "under one's own steam" means to do something without any assistance or support from others.
Under one's own steam is an idiom that means to do something by one's own effort or without assistance.
The phrase originated in the early 19th century and is commonly used in both British and American English.
The idiom "top oneself" means to commit suicide. It is a colloquial expression and should be used with caution due to its sensitive nature.
The idiom "toot one's own horn" means to boast or speak highly of oneself and one's accomplishments. It often implies a sense of self-promotion and seeking attention or recognition for one's abilities or achievements.
The idiom "talk out of one's ass" means to speak in a nonsensical or uninformed manner, without any knowledge or basis in reality.
The idiom "take matters into one's own hands" means to personally handle or assume responsibility for a situation instead of relying on others to do so.
The idiom "take it up the ass" is a vulgar and offensive expression that metaphorically means to endure a difficult or unfair situation, often involving humiliation or mistreatment.
The idiom "sit on one's ass" means to be lazy or inactive, often implying a lack of motivation or effort to do anything productive.
The idiom "shove it up your ass" is an offensive slang expression used to dismiss or reject something angrily, often to show contempt or anger towards the person or idea being referred to.
The idiom "put one's foot up someone's ass" is a metaphorical expression that means to forcefully or aggressively confront or punish someone for their actions or behavior.
The Self-Absorbed Spiral
The idiom "up one's own ass" is a vulgar expression used to describe someone who is excessively self-centered, arrogant, or self-absorbed. It originated in American English during the late 20th century as a more explicit variant of the expression "up one's own behind," which had a similar meaning of being overly focused on oneself. The usage of "ass" in the idiom adds a stronger emphasis on vulgarity and contempt.
It is important to note that this idiom should not be taken literally. Instead, it is a figurative expression used for comedic effect, insult, or criticism. The idiom implies that the person in question is so self-absorbed that they are oblivious to the needs, perspectives, or criticisms of others.
The idiomatic phrase is primarily used in spoken language and informal writing, and is typically avoided in polite conversation or formal contexts due to its crude nature. Its offensive nature makes it unsuitable for publication in mainstream media outlets and it is generally considered inappropriate in professional settings.
One related idiom is "put one's foot up someone's ass". This idiom means to physically or metaphorically punish or reprimand someone. It is a more aggressive expression compared to "up one's own ass" and implies a strong sense of frustration or anger towards the person's behavior or actions.
Another related idiom is "on one's own". This idiom means to be independent or self-reliant. It suggests that someone is capable of accomplishing tasks or making decisions without the assistance or support of others. Unlike "up one's own ass", "on one's own" has a more positive connotation and is often used to praise someone for their independence and resilience.
The final related idiom is "toot one's own horn". This idiom means to brag or boast about one's own achievements or abilities. It is similar to "up one's own ass" in the sense that it implies a certain level of self-centeredness or arrogance. However, "toot one's own horn" focuses specifically on self-promotion rather than a general sense of self-absorption.
The idiom "up one's own ass" is a vulgar expression used to criticize someone who is excessively self-centered or arrogant. It originated in American English during the late 20th century and is typically used in informal language. It should be noted that this idiom is highly offensive and not appropriate for polite or formal discourse.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *up one's own ass* can be used in a sentence:
- He is so arrogant, he is always up his own ass.
- She always thinks she is the best, but she's just up her own ass.
- Instead of listening to others, he just talks about himself all the time - he is completely up his own ass.
More "Vulgar" idioms
