APAD: Blow one's own trumpet

本帖于 2026-03-24 09:26:24 时间, 由普通用户 最西边的岛上 编辑

"Blow one's own trumpet" (or "horn")  is an idiom meaning to brag, boast, or talk proudly about one's own achievements, skills, or successes. It often implies excessive pride or arrogance, though it can sometimes refer to necessary self-promotion.

It originates from the medieval practice of heralds blowing trumpets to announce a king's arrival, suggesting that a self-boaster is acting as their own herald. It also likely relates to biblical warnings against announcing charity with trumpets.

Abraham Fleming, a 16th century English philosopher and writer, used the phrase in his first major publication: "I will sound the trumpet of mine own merits." Sometimes expressed as "tooting your own horn".

From online with editing
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There were a couple funny posts and discussions about "吹牛" and "夸张" in 笑坛 recently, which reminds me of this idiom. Just "吹牛" means to knowingly twist the facts and tell outrageous lies, which is more than bragging or boasting.

We all have an ego and there's nothing wrong with being proud and self-promotion when necessary
, as long as the pride is on solid ground.  But "吹牛" is a big no-no IMHO: the person doing so may become a laughing stock when being found out. 小声点

And, there are professions which seem to like "blowing one's own trumpet" (and“吹牛”)more than others, with politicians at the top of the list. 呵呵

That's it for this rainy Tuesday.

 

所有跟帖: 

If U know an E term/idiom matching "吹牛", pls do share. Thx! -最西边的岛上- 给 最西边的岛上 发送悄悄话 最西边的岛上 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 09:03:07

What's the difference btween bragging &exaggerating -移花接木- 给 移花接木 发送悄悄话 移花接木 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:13:22

Very good Q! Bragging is about self w/ intention 2 excite -最西边的岛上- 给 最西边的岛上 发送悄悄话 最西边的岛上 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:27:40

praise & admiration; Exaggerating is 2 enlarge beyond truth -最西边的岛上- 给 最西边的岛上 发送悄悄话 最西边的岛上 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:33:10

Can b about self or other matters. Ahh, that is 吹牛. Thx!! ~~ -最西边的岛上- 给 最西边的岛上 发送悄悄话 最西边的岛上 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:35:13

it's marketing, business, and American. -7grizzly- 给 7grizzly 发送悄悄话 7grizzly 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:22:24

Very ture. Marking & business need self-promotion. But maybe -最西边的岛上- 给 最西边的岛上 发送悄悄话 最西边的岛上 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:39:46

just some Americans w/ over-inflated egos need to blow -最西边的岛上- 给 最西边的岛上 发送悄悄话 最西边的岛上 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:42:22

their own trumpets + exaggerating :-) -最西边的岛上- 给 最西边的岛上 发送悄悄话 最西边的岛上 的博客首页 (0 bytes) () 03/24/2026 postreply 10:43:37

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