Phrase guide

break one's arm patting oneself on the back

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be very full of oneself. Often used as a sarcastic caution: "don't break your arm patting yourself on the back".

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, humorous

Examples

  • — We're the best football team in the state! — Careful, dude, don't break your arm patting yourself on the back.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From pat on the back, and the uncomfortable position one would have to assume while patting their own back.