too big for his breeches

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

is said of a man who is above his business; arrogant; haughty.


Gentlemen, I was one of the first to fire a gun under Andrew Jackson. I helped to give him all his glory. I liked him well once; but when a man gets too big for his breeches, I say good bye.--Crockett, Tour, p. 152.

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