high and mighty

¹

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. persons who are members of or identify with the higher social strata of society, especially those who are powerful or arrogant.

adverb

1. in a self-important, grandiose, or arrogant manner.

   They talk high and mighty, but they owe everyone in town.

   Now don't go getting all high and mighty on me.

high-and-mighty

²

[hahy-uhn-mahy-tee, -uhnd-]

adjective

1. haughty; arrogant.

Other Word Forms

• high-and-mightiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of high and mighty¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English: originally a title of dignity

Idioms and Phrases

Conceited, haughty, as in She was too high and mighty to make her own bed. This expression originally alluded to high-born rulers and was being transferred to the merely arrogant by the mid-1600s.

Related Words

• arrogant 
• haughty 

When To Use

What does high and mighty mean?

High and mighty is often used as an adverb meaning in an arrogant or self-important manner, as in Please stop acting so high and mighty—you’re not the boss here.The word mighty means strong, powerful, or of great importance.When someone acts as if they are superior or in charge, they can be said to be acting high and mighty. This is especially the case when they’re not actually superior or in charge.High and mighty can also be used as an adjective, in which case it’s often hyphenated (high-and-mighty), as in Take your high-and-mighty attitude elsewhere—we work as a team here.The phrase can also be used as a collective noun to refer to people who are considered powerful, as in The high and mighty take too much and give too little. The word mighty can be used in the same way, as in The rich and mighty hold all the power.Example: Don’t get all high and mighty with me—I’m the one who trained you.