趾高气扬

趾高气扬:

Literally means:

strut about and give oneself airs

Actually means:

趾, toes, refers to feet in general. 趾高, raise one's feet high while walking. 气扬, put on airs.

This phrase figuratively means one is very conceited and thus puts on arrogant airs and show contempt for others; be swollen with arrogance. Derogatory.

趾，脚趾，指代脚。趾高，走路时脚抬得很高。气扬，很神气。

形容十分得意，非常傲慢，自以为了不起，看不起别人的样子。具有贬义色。