flatter oneself

Idioms  

1. 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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

flatter oneself

Better far to remain at the second stage, and to flatter oneself that one has really arrived at the fourth.

From Not that it Matters by Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)

But one likes to flatter oneself that in one's own case it may be true; and so— BELINDA.

From First Plays by Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)

Yet I can see no ground, except a desire to flatter oneself, for not crediting the élan vital with some such digestive intention.

From Winds Of Doctrine Studies in Contemporary Opinion by Santayana, George

But one likes to flatter oneself that in one's own case it may be true; and so— Belinda.

From Belinda by Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander)

Related Words

• advertise