Blow your own trumpet

Meaning

The idiom "blow your own trumpet" means to boast or brag about your accomplishments or achievements. It is a figurative way of saying that you are taking credit for something you did. Example sentences:

• John always blows his own trumpet during meetings, even when he hasn't done anything impressive.
• I don't like people who blow their own trumpet all the time. It comes across as arrogant and insincere.
• The new CEO has been blowing her own trumpet since she started working at the company. She's constantly talking about how successful she's made it.
• Instead of blowing your own trumpet, try to humbly acknowledge your accomplishments and let others take credit for them.
• When I got my promotion, I didn't blow my own trumpet. I just quietly did my job and waited for someone else to recognize me.

Usage

The usage of the idiom "blow your own trumpet" can vary depending on the context. It can be used in a positive or negative way. In some cases, it might even be considered appropriate behavior. However, if overused, it can come across as boastful and arrogant. Example sentences:

• When you're new at a job, it's important to blow your own trumpet by introducing yourself and showcasing your skills. This can help establish credibility and build trust with colleagues.
• During interviews, you should be confident but not arrogant. You want to blow your own trumpet by highlighting your strengths and accomplishments, but do so in a way that is respectful and humble.
• When writing resumes or cover letters, it's important to blow your own trumpet by listing your achievements and accomplishments. This can help make you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of getting hired.
• In social settings, it's acceptable to blow your own trumpet a little bit by sharing your successes or accomplishments with friends and family. However, it's important not to do so in a way that is boastful or overly self-promotional.
• When giving presentations or speeches, you should be confident and proud of what you've achieved, but avoid blowing your own trumpet by being too focused on yourself and not acknowledging the contributions of others.

Roots and History

The idiom "blow your own trumpet" dates back to medieval times when knights would blow a horn or trumpet to announce their arrival and boast about their achievements. Over time, the phrase has evolved to mean taking credit for something you did, rather than simply announcing it. In contemporary language, there are variations of this idiom, including "blow your own horn," "toot your own horn," and "trumpet your own success." These phrases have similar meanings but differ in terms of the specific instrument used to blow the horn.

Synonyms in English

• Toot one's own horn
• Brag or boast about oneself
• Take credit for something
• Claim victory
• Be proud of oneself

Synonyms in other languages

• In French, the idiom is "blower sa trompe" which means to "blow one's own trumpet."
• In Spanish, the idiom is "sonar la propia corneta" which also means to "blow one's own horn."
• In German, the idiom is "blowen die eigene Trompe" which translates to "to blow one's own trumpet."
• In Italian, the idiom is "suonare la sua tromba" which means to "blow one's own horn."
• In Japanese, the idiom is "吹く自分の口鈴" which translates to "to blow one's own trumpet."

Similar Idioms

• bark up the wrong tree

• bon appetit

• bundle up