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Meaning of holier-than-thou
having or showing a tendency to regard oneself as more morally correct or superior to others
Etymology of holier-than-thou
The phrase "holier-than-thou" originated from the Bible, specifically the book of Isaiah (65:5), where it is written "which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am set apart from thee, and they are set apart, saith the Lord, and I am holier than thou"
The phrase was initially used to describe the Pharisees, who were seen as hypocritical and self-righteous
Over time, the phrase has evolved to become a common idiom used to describe individuals who exhibit superior or condescending behavior
Synonyms
Definitions
- used to describe someone who behaves as if they are morally better than others, often in a way that is annoying or irritating
- * having or showing a superior attitude towards others, especially in relation to moral or spiritual matters
Usage Examples
- His holier-than-thou attitude towards his colleagues made it difficult for him to form meaningful relationships
- * She came across as holier-than-thou when she lectured her friends about their lifestyle choices
- * The politician's holier-than-thou stance on corruption was undermined by his own history of scandal