a pompous arse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pompous arse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is overly self-important or arrogant, often in a humorous or derogatory manner. Example: "During the meeting, he acted like a pompous arse, dismissing everyone's ideas without consideration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Uncle Alec, who on all known evidence was a pompous arse, loftily condoned the horseplay, and Ronnie with impressive meekness inquired whether he might call at the great house on Sunday afternoons to pay his respects — not to Olive, naturally; who was socially far above him — but to an Irish housemaid with whom he had struck up an acquaintance.

The New Yorker

Uncle Alec, who on all known evidence was a pompous arse, loftily condoned the horseplay, and Ronnie with impressive meekness inquired whether he might call at the great house on Sunday afternoons to pay his respects not to Olive, naturally; who was socially far above him but to an Irish housemaid with whom he had struck up an acquaintance.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I thought he was a pompous ass.

The Guardian - Books

People say: 'He's a pompous ass.' So what?

The Guardian - Business

Just to show how relevant Freudian theory still is, Boulton then screeched, outta pretty much nowheresville, "I actually love this country!" Campbell promptly informed him, "Adam, you are a pompous little arse" – making this surely the first time viewers have ever come away from an exchange involving Campbell thinking: "You know, that Alastair speaks plain, honest sense".

The Guardian - Opinion

The following correction was printed in the Guardian's Corrections and clarifications column, Thursday 13 May 2010 A Guardian transcript gave this as Alastair Campbell's parting line to the political editor of Sky News, Adam Boulton, during a television encounter this week: "Adam you are a pompous little arse".

The Guardian - Opinion

BOOK critics can be a pompous, self-important lot.

The New York Times

Bloggers can unhorse a pompous news anchor.

Forbes

"Can I get a pompous a**hole?" another one follows.

Huffington Post

A pompous twat, no less.

The Guardian - Books

Gull is a pompous blowhard.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pompous arse" sparingly and with awareness of your audience. While effective for conveying strong disapproval in informal settings, it is generally unsuitable for formal or professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "a pompous arse" in professional emails or academic papers. Its informal and somewhat vulgar nature can undermine your credibility and detract from your message. Opt for more neutral and professional terms such as "arrogant" or "self-important".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pompous arse" functions as a noun phrase used to describe a person. It serves as a derogatory label, emphasizing both arrogance (pompous) and unpleasantness (arse). Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in describing someone's behavior or character.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pompous arse" is an informal and derogatory noun phrase used to describe someone who is seen as arrogant and self-important. As Ludwig's examples show, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, its strong negative connotation and informal register make it unsuitable for formal or professional settings. Consider using alternatives like "arrogant person" or "conceited fool" in such situations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable but should be employed with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A pompous ass

A direct synonym, replacing "arse" with the slightly less vulgar "ass".

A conceited fool

Focuses on the arrogance and foolishness of the person, omitting the crude intensity.

An arrogant jerk

Highlights the arrogance and unpleasantness of the individual, using a more generic insult.

A self-important windbag

Emphasizes the self-importance and talkativeness of the person, implying they are full of hot air.

A pretentious show-off

Focuses on the individual's tendency to display their supposed superiority.

A haughty snob

Highlights the individual's disdain for those they consider beneath them.

A superior know-it-all

Emphasizes the person's belief that they know more than everyone else and their condescending attitude.

A condescending bore

Focuses on the person's tediousness and patronizing manner.

An inflated ego

Focuses on the excessive pride and self-regard of the person.

A stuck-up individual

Highlights the person's aloofness and sense of superiority.

FAQs

How can I use "a pompous arse" in a sentence?

You can use "a pompous arse" to describe someone who is overly self-important and arrogant. For example: "He acted like a complete pompous arse during the meeting, dismissing everyone's ideas."

What's a less offensive alternative to "a pompous arse"?

If you want to express a similar sentiment without being too vulgar, you could use "pompous ass", "arrogant jerk", or "conceited fool".

Is it appropriate to use "a pompous arse" in formal writing?

No, "a pompous arse" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It is considered an informal and somewhat vulgar expression, better suited for casual conversation or informal contexts.

What is the difference between "a pompous arse" and "an arrogant person"?

"A pompous arse" is a more forceful and insulting way to describe someone arrogant. While "an arrogant person" simply states their character, "a pompous arse" adds a layer of disdain and strong disapproval.