flatter oneself



flatter oneself

Be gratified vainly by one's own achievement; exaggerate one's good points. For example, He flattered himself that his presentation at the sales conference was a success, or She flattered herself that she was by far the best skater at the rink. This usage is often put negatively, as in Don't flatter yourself-we haven't won the contract yet. [Late 1500s]
See also: flatter

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Beck[bek]
Augustaow-GUWS-tah (German, Polish), ow-GOOS-tah (Italian), ə-GUS-tə (English)German, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Dutch, English, Ancient Roman
Nicodemonee-ko-DE-mo (Italian), nee-ko-DHE-mo (Spanish)Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Comhghall-Irish
Selvaggia-Italian
Hoffman['hɔ:fmən]