People feel proud when they do something well. Pride is the happy feeling we get after working hard. It can come from tying shoes alone, drawing a great picture, or helping a friend. When someone feels proud, they often smile and stand tall. Pride shows us that we did a good job.
We use special phrases called idioms to talk about pride. These phrases help us say how people feel proud in fun and clear ways. For example, if someone says, “He’s on cloud nine,” it means he feels very happy. In this lesson, we will learn idioms that show pride. They will help us talk about our feelings in smart and simple ways.
Idioms for Pride
1. Puff out your chest
Meaning: To show you’re proud.
To Provide an Example: He puffed out his chest after scoring the goal. / She puffed out her chest when she showed her art.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling happy about something you did.
2. Walk tall
Meaning: To stand or walk proudly.
To Provide an Example: She walked tall after winning the race. / He walked tall with his clean room.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling strong and proud.
3. Beam with pride
Meaning: To smile big because you’re proud.
To Provide an Example: Dad beamed with pride when I read my book. / She beamed with pride after helping her friend.
Alternative Meaning: Showing happiness for something good.
4. Swell with pride
Meaning: To feel full of pride.
To Provide an Example: I swelled with pride when I tied my shoes alone. / He swelled with pride after saying sorry.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling big joy from doing well.
5. Pat on the back
Meaning: A sign of praise or pride.
To Provide an Example: She gave herself a pat on the back after a good test. / I got a pat on the back for cleaning up.
Alternative Meaning: Getting a “well done.”
6. Hold your head high
Meaning: To look up and be proud.
To Provide an Example: He held his head high after finishing his chores. / She held her head high even after losing.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling good no matter what.
7. Grin from ear to ear
Meaning: To smile very wide from pride.
To Provide an Example: I grinned from ear to ear after making a new friend. / She grinned from ear to ear when she helped Grandma.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling proud and very happy.
8. Like a peacock
Meaning: Acting proud or showing off.
To Provide an Example: He walked like a peacock after his drawing won. / She acted like a peacock with her new dress.
Alternative Meaning: Showing off something you like.
9. Chest full of pride
Meaning: Feeling proud inside.
To Provide an Example: I had a chest full of pride when I finished my puzzle. / She had a chest full of pride after helping.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling proud deep down.
10. Glow with pride
Meaning: To look proud and happy.
To Provide an Example: She glowed with pride when her mom hugged her. / He glowed with pride after his story was read aloud.
Alternative Meaning: Proud and bright with joy.
11. Full of yourself
Meaning: Feeling too proud.
To Provide an Example: He was full of himself after winning. / She was full of herself when everyone clapped.
Alternative Meaning: Acting too proud.
12. Shine bright
Meaning: To do something well with pride.
To Provide an Example: She shined bright at the school play. / He shined bright while helping others.
Alternative Meaning: Standing out in a proud way.
13. Top of the world
Meaning: Feeling very proud and happy.
To Provide an Example: I felt on top of the world after learning to swim. / He was on top of the world when he got a star.
Alternative Meaning: Big pride and joy.
14. Smile like the sun
Meaning: Big proud smile.
To Provide an Example: She smiled like the sun when she read out loud. / He smiled like the sun after the test.
Alternative Meaning: Happy and proud feeling.
15. Like a shining star
Meaning: Being proud from doing well.
To Provide an Example: He felt like a shining star on stage. / I felt like a shining star when I got an A.
Alternative Meaning: Doing great and feeling proud.
16. On cloud nine
Meaning: Feeling very proud and happy.
To Provide an Example: I was on cloud nine after my drawing won. / She was on cloud nine when Dad said “Great job.”
Alternative Meaning: Big joy and pride.
17. Burst with pride
Meaning: Feeling so proud it shows.
To Provide an Example: Grandma burst with pride when I helped her. / He burst with pride after learning to ride.
Alternative Meaning: Overjoyed with pride.
18. Big shoes to fill
Meaning: Someone proud to follow another.
To Provide an Example: I have big shoes to fill after my brother won. / She has big shoes to fill in the spelling bee.
Alternative Meaning: Proud to keep up.
19. Proud as a lion
Meaning: Very proud.
To Provide an Example: He was proud as a lion after making his bed. / I was proud as a lion after I read aloud.
Alternative Meaning: Brave and proud.
20. Heart full of joy
Meaning: Feeling good and proud inside.
To Provide an Example: I had a heart full of joy after my song. / She had a heart full of joy when she helped Mom.
Alternative Meaning: Deep proud feeling.
21. Look at me now
Meaning: Showing proud change.
To Provide an Example: Look at me now—I can tie my shoes! / Look at me now—I can read this book.
Alternative Meaning: Feeling good after learning or growing.
22. Wear a proud smile
Meaning: Smile that shows pride.
To Provide an Example: She wore a proud smile after helping the teacher. / He wore a proud smile when he scored.
Alternative Meaning: Smiling with pride.
23. Proud moment
Meaning: A time when you feel proud.
To Provide an Example: My proud moment was when I shared my story. / Her proud moment was giving her speech.
Alternative Meaning: Time of joy for doing well.
24. Glow like a light
Meaning: Look very happy and proud.
To Provide an Example: He glowed like a light when he cleaned the room. / I glowed like a light with my gold star.
Alternative Meaning: Bright and happy feeling.
25. Stand proud
Meaning: To stand straight and happy.
To Provide an Example: She stood proud with her medal. / I stood proud at the school concert.
Alternative Meaning: Holding yourself with pride.
26. Smile with pride
Meaning: A smile that shows you’re proud.
To Provide an Example: He smiled with pride after helping a friend. / She smiled with pride when Dad clapped.
Alternative Meaning: Happy about what you did.
27. Moment to shine
Meaning: A special time to be proud.
To Provide an Example: The play was her moment to shine. / Reading aloud was my moment to shine.
Alternative Meaning: Time to show your best.
28. Like a rising balloon
Meaning: Feeling light and proud.
To Provide an Example: I felt like a rising balloon when I cleaned up. / She felt like a rising balloon after winning.
Alternative Meaning: Pride that lifts you.
29. Tall as a tree
Meaning: Standing proud and strong.
To Provide an Example: He felt tall as a tree after his speech. / I stood tall as a tree when I sang.
Alternative Meaning: Big and proud.
30. Eyes sparkle with pride
Meaning: Eyes that show you are proud.
To Provide an Example: Her eyes sparkled with pride when she finished the puzzle. / His eyes sparkled with pride after helping.
Alternative Meaning: Pride shows in your face.
31. Light up with pride
Meaning: Face looks happy and proud.
To Provide an Example: He lit up with pride after the teacher praised him. / She lit up with pride when her picture was shown.
Alternative Meaning: Glowing with joy.
32. Cheer for yourself
Meaning: Feel proud of what you did.
To Provide an Example: I cheered for myself after tying my shoes. / She cheered for herself after reading her story.
Alternative Meaning: Be your own cheerleader.
33. Dance with joy
Meaning: So proud and happy you move with it.
To Provide an Example: He danced with joy after finishing the puzzle. / I danced with joy when I helped my friend.
Alternative Meaning: Pride so big you can’t stay still.
34. Like a firework
Meaning: Bright and proud.
To Provide an Example: I felt like a firework when Mom smiled at me. / He felt like a firework after the show.
Alternative Meaning: Flash of pride.
35. Feel like a king
Meaning: Feeling very proud and strong.
To Provide an Example: He felt like a king after cleaning up. / I felt like a king after reading aloud.
Alternative Meaning: Top of the world feeling.
36. Look proud as a cat
Meaning: Showing off your good work.
To Provide an Example: She looked proud as a cat after finishing her art. / He looked proud as a cat when praised.
Alternative Meaning: Quiet proud look.
37. Like a balloon full of air
Meaning: So full of pride it shows.
To Provide an Example: He was like a balloon full of air after his turn. / I was like a balloon full of air after the game.
Alternative Meaning: Filled with proud joy.
38. Big proud heart
Meaning: A heart full of good feelings.
To Provide an Example: She had a big proud heart after helping. / I had a big proud heart when I got a smile.
Alternative Meaning: Pride from kindness.
39. Bright as the sun
Meaning: Looking happy and proud.
To Provide an Example: He looked bright as the sun with his gold star. / She was bright as the sun after the show.
Alternative Meaning: Very proud and glowing.
40. Like a drumbeat
Meaning: Pride that you can feel inside.
To Provide an Example: My heart beat like a drum with pride. / She felt like a drumbeat of joy.
Alternative Meaning: Pride you can’t hide.
41. A gold star moment
Meaning: Time when you did something great.
To Provide an Example: Reading aloud was my gold star moment. / Helping Mom was his gold star moment.
Alternative Meaning: Something to feel proud of.
42. Sing your own song
Meaning: Be proud of being yourself.
To Provide an Example: I sang my own song in the play. / She sang her own song by sharing her art.
Alternative Meaning: Show pride in being you.
43. Filled with proud steps
Meaning: Walking with happy pride.
To Provide an Example: He took proud steps to the stage. / She walked with proud steps to show her work.
Alternative Meaning: Every move shows pride.
44. Be your own fan
Meaning: Cheer for what you did.
To Provide an Example: I was my own fan after cleaning up. / She was her own fan after the play.
Alternative Meaning: Feel good about you.
45. Like a trumpet sound
Meaning: Loud and proud feeling.
To Provide an Example: He felt like a trumpet sound after reading. / I was like a trumpet sound after helping.
Alternative Meaning: Big proud noise inside.
46. A proud tear
Meaning: Happy crying from pride.
To Provide an Example: Mom had a proud tear after my speech. / I had a proud tear when I helped.
Alternative Meaning: Pride that makes you cry.
47. Little hero moment
Meaning: A time when you feel proud of helping.
To Provide an Example: Giving my toy was my little hero moment. / Helping a friend was her little hero moment.
Alternative Meaning: A proud helping time.
48. Big brave heart
Meaning: Feeling proud from doing something hard.
To Provide an Example: I had a big brave heart when I spoke. / He showed a big brave heart reading aloud.
Alternative Meaning: Proud from being brave.
49. Shine like gold
Meaning: To look proud and bright.
To Provide an Example: Her eyes shone like gold after the show. / He shone like gold with his work.
Alternative Meaning: Glowing with pride.
50. Sweet proud joy
Meaning: A nice proud feeling.
To Provide an Example: I felt sweet proud joy after sharing. / She felt sweet proud joy reading to the class.
Alternative Meaning: A good and happy proud feeling.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Pride
- After tying her shoes for the first time, Mia ___________________________.
- When Jake got a star on his math test, he ___________________________.
- Mom told Ella she could ___________________________ after helping set the table.
- I ___________________________ when my teacher said “Great job!”
- Ryan cleaned the living room and then walked like he was ___________________________.
- Emily ___________________________ when she saw her picture on the wall.
- After reading his story to the class, Noah had a ___________________________.
- I was so happy I ___________________________ after giving my friend a card.
- Dad said I could give myself a ___________________________ for being kind.
- My eyes ___________________________ when I saw my good grade.
- She looked ___________________________ when she helped her little brother.
- After finishing her book, Olivia stood ___________________________.
- We gave Grandpa a ___________________________ when we saw his garden.
- After I made my bed alone, I walked with ___________________________.
- When Max saw his science project, he felt ___________________________.
Answer Key
- swelled with pride
- grinned from ear to ear
- hold your head high
- beamed with pride
- proud as a lion
- lit up with pride
- chest full of pride
- danced with joy
- pat on the back
- sparkled with pride
- like a shining star
- tall as a tree
- standing proud
- proud steps
- top of the world
Conclusion
Pride is a warm, happy feeling we get when we do something good. It helps us feel strong and glad about who we are. Idioms help us talk about pride in fun ways. We can say we “shine like gold” or “walk tall” to show how proud we feel.
Using these idioms helps us share how we feel with others. When you feel proud, use these phrases to tell your story in a clear and happy way.
