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.

---

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.

---

ego trip British  

noun

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

---

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]

---

Other Word 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

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

The crassness and classless example he set for his team was, I’m sure, a huge ego trip for all involved on that side of the ball.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2021

“The only real benefit of being famous is being recognized by head waiters and getting good tables at restaurants. The rest is part ego trip and part inconvenience.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2020

I just think if there’s a possibility that this proposed trip to Texas could be an extension of an ego trip, that’s too many trips to be taking at a time.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2020