swallow one’s pride: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘swallow one's pride’ mean?
"Swallow one's pride" means to suppress one's ego or self-importance and do something unpleasent or humiliating, often for the sake of preserving a relationship or achieving a goal.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "watch one's mouth" means to be careful about what one says, especially to avoid saying something offensive or disrespectful. It emphasizes the importance of choosing words wisely and being mindful of the impact they may have on others.
The idiom "take pride" means to feel a sense of satisfaction or pleasure in one's achievements, abilities, or personal qualities. It implies a feeling of self-respect and a recognition of one's own worth or value.
The idiom "take down a peg" means to humble or deflate someone's arrogant or self-important attitude.
The idiom "swallow the leek" means to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation without complaining or resisting, often out of a sense of duty or obligation.
When someone "swallows a bitter pill," it means they accept or endure something unpleasant or difficult, often unwillingly.
The idiom *suck on that* is an offensive phrase used to assert dominance or superiority over someone by bragging about one's achievements or proving them wrong in a confrontational manner.
The idiom "shut one's mouth" means to stop talking or to keep quiet, usually in response to a command or to avoid saying something inappropriate or offensive.
The idiom "shut one's face" means to stop talking or to be quiet. It is a rude and direct way of telling someone to be silent or stop speaking. This phrase is considered impolite and should be used cautiously, as it may offend or upset others.
The idiom "shove something down someone's throat" means to force someone to accept or believe something, often in an aggressive or relentless manner.
Unveiling the Deep Significance of Swallowing Ego
The idiom "swallow one's pride" is used to describe the act of accepting a situation or admitting fault, even when it is difficult or goes against one's ego. It combines the verb "swallow" with the noun "pride" to create a metaphorical image of a person physically ingesting their own pride. The act of swallowing typically involves discomfort or resistance, reflecting the emotional challenge of accepting a difficult situation or admitting a mistake.
This idiom implies that pride is something tangible, almost like a physical object that can be swallowed or kept inside. By swallowing one's pride, a person makes a conscious decision to let go of their ego and prioritize other factors, such as maintaining relationships or achieving a desired outcome.
In personal relationships, swallowing one's pride often means setting aside one's own feelings or ego in order to resolve conflicts or maintain harmony. It can involve admitting fault or accepting feedback, even when it may be difficult to do so.
In a professional setting, swallowing one's pride can involve admitting fault or accepting feedback, even when it may be difficult to do so. It can be challenging to admit a mistake or accept criticism, but doing so can lead to personal growth and improved relationships with colleagues and superiors.
Swallowing one's pride is related to the idiom "swallow a bitter pill." This idiom is used to describe the act of accepting an unpleasant or difficult truth. Sometimes, the truth can be hard to accept, but by swallowing this bitter pill, a person can acknowledge the reality of a situation and move forward.
Another related idiom is "swallow the leek," which is often used in the context of surrendering or accepting defeat. It comes from a historical practice in which defeated combatants were required to swallow a piece of leek, a symbol of Welsh identity. By swallowing the leek, they were symbolically accepting their defeat and acknowledging the victor.
A similar idiom is "pull someone's plumes," which means to humble or humiliate someone. It comes from the act of forcibly removing the feathers from a person's hat, leaving them exposed and vulnerable. By pulling someone's plumes, you are metaphorically taking away their pride and leaving them in a humbled state.
"eat humble pie" is another idiom related to swallowing one's pride. It is used to describe the act of apologizing or admitting fault, usually in a public setting. The phrase "eat humble pie" suggests that by swallowing one's pride and owning up to their mistake, a person is showing humility and a willingness to make amends.
A final related idiom is "eat it." This phrase is often used to tell someone to accept and deal with a difficult or unpleasant situation. By telling someone to "eat it," you are essentially encouraging them to swallow their pride and accept the reality of the situation, even if it may be challenging.
The idiom "swallow one's pride" is a widely recognized expression that describes the act of accepting a situation or admitting fault, even when it goes against one's ego. Swallowing one's pride can be challenging, but it is an important skill that can lead to personal growth, improved relationships, and a more harmonious society. It is related to other idioms, such as "swallow a bitter pill," "swallow the leek," "pull someone's plumes," "eat humble pie," and "eat it," which all involve the act of accepting difficult truths or humbling oneself in various situations.
Example usage
Examples:
1. After losing the argument, Sarah had to swallow her pride and apologize to her friend.
2. Despite being a talented musician, Alex had to swallow his pride and work as a street performer to make ends meet.
3. In order to rebuild his relationship with his father, Jack had to swallow his pride and admit his mistakes.
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