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• ego trip
  ego trip

  noun

  an act or course of action undertaken primarily to satisfy one's vanity or for self-gratification.
• ego-trip
  ego-trip

  verb (used without object)

  to behave in a self-serving manner.

ego trip

¹ American  

noun

Informal.

1. an act or course of action undertaken primarily to satisfy one's vanity or for self-gratification.

   Her charitable activity was one long ego trip.

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ego-trip ² American  

[ee-goh-trip, eg-oh-] / ˈi goʊˌtrɪp, ˈɛg oʊ- /

verb (used without object)

Informal.

ego-tripped, ego-tripping

1. to behave in a self-serving manner.

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ego trip British  

noun

1. something undertaken to boost or draw attention to a person's own image or appraisal of himself

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verb

1. to act in this way

ego trip Idioms  

1. Behavior or activities undertaken mainly out of vanity or for self-gratification. For example, She's really on an ego trip, trying out for the lead. [1960s]

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ego-tripper
  noun

Etymology

Origin of ego trip¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Origin of ego-trip²

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

We are at least given more backstory and a more plausible explanation for Sophie’s fascination with Alex: the ego trip.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2025

This is not an ego trip by the judge.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2024

But on balance their subplots are just a distraction from the endless permutations of Lauren’s perpetual ego trip.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

His stance of principled opposition would be exposed as the sheer ego trip it has been all along.

From Slate • Dec. 6, 2023

A forceful, outspoken figure who has survived two assassination attempts, Saleh has drawn criticism from human rights groups for acting too harshly, and from political rivals who say he is on an ego trip.

From Washington Post • Nov. 3, 2020