- To boast or brag about your own talents, successes, or achievements.
Explanation
Origin
- Refers to heralds blowing trumpets to announce important arrivals. Blowing your *own* trumpet is self-announcing importance.
- Toot your own horn is the common US equivalent.
- Both date back several centuries.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Big-note oneself. (Aus/NZ To brag)
- Flex. (Modern slang To show off, often wealth or status)
- Be cocky. / Be arrogant.
- Talk oneself up.
Vulgar/Emphatic (Describing someone else):
- He's such a fucking braggart.
- She won't shut up about how great she is.
Milder/Neutral (When used self-referentially):
- If I may say so myself...
- I'm quite proud of...
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Describing someone else this way is often critical.
- Using it self-referentially (Not to toot my own horn, but...) makes boasting slightly more acceptable.
- Avoid bragging (with or without the idiom) in most formal/professional situations.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners might not understand it's generally negative/critical unless used self-consciously.
- It implies excessive or inappropriate self-praise.
Examples
- (UK) He's always blowing his own trumpet about how much money he makes.
- (US) She deserved the promotion, but she doesn't need to toot her own horn about it constantly.
- (Self-conscious) Forgive me for blowing my own trumpet, but I'm really proud of the report I wrote.
Dialogue
Context
(UK Version)
Alice: David spent the whole meeting talking about his sales figures again.
Ben: I know, he does like to blow his own trumpet, doesn't he?
(US Version)
Alice: Jane kept mentioning how she single-handedly saved the project.
Ben: Yeah, she's not shy about tooting her own horn.
Social Media Examples
- Self-Promotional Tweet: Not to toot my own horn, but thrilled that my article got published! [Link] #WritingCommunity #Proud
- Comment on someone else's post: Okay, okay, we get it, you're amazing. No need to blow your own trumpet quite so loudly! 😉 #HumbleBrag
- Forum Discussion: Some people in this thread need to stop tooting their own horns and actually contribute helpful advice.
Response Patterns
If accused:
- Defensive: I'm not bragging, I'm just stating facts!
- Embarrassed.
If someone uses it self-consciously (Not to blow my own trumpet, but...):
- Listener usually accepts the following statement, perhaps with mild acknowledgement (That's great! or Good for you).
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Listeners might change the subject if someone brags excessively.
- If used self-deprecatingly before sharing an achievement, the listener typically offers congratulations.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Describes observed behavior or prefaces stating one's own achievement.
Intonation
- Stress on blow (or toot), own, and trumpet (or horn). BLOW your OWN TRUMPET.
- Often critical/annoyed when describing others.
- Apologetic/joking when referring to oneself.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations. Choice between trumpet and horn is regional.
Regional Variations
- Blow your own trumpet: More common in British/Commonwealth English.
- Toot your own horn: More common in American English.
- Both generally understood everywhere.