a pompous ass

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pompous ass" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who is arrogant and self-important. For example: "My boss is such a pompous ass that he thinks he knows better than everyone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 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

Rushdie admitted: "I did call him a pompous ass, which I thought pretty mild".

The Guardian

It's not a complete rehabilitation however – this Malvolio is still, like Shakespeare's, a pompous ass and a killjoy.

Independent

Washington helped finance legal challenges to black disenfranchisement in Alabama, but he knew the risks of exposure, so he instructed his associates to write in code: "C" meant a hundred, "D" meant dollars, and Washington was referred to as His Nibs, which was slang for a pompous ass, or as the Wizard.

The New Yorker

Billy Mitchell is a pompous ass, but that's 90percentt of the reason why he's The Man.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Sam Feist's a spectacularly pompous ass, and his fingerprints are all over this hire; as much as I'd love to wind up eating my words, I can't imagine a scenario in which a blogger uprising from the left would make Feist and CNN reconsider putting Erickson on the air.

Huffington Post

Rushdie called Le Carré "an illiterate, pompous ass".

Independent

Mr. Aykroyd would proclaim, "Jane, you ignorant slut," and Ms. Curtin would reply, "Dan, you pompous ass".

The New York Times

You have before you a funhouse mirror of Goldoni's parade of fools, lovers, clowns, parents and pompous asses.

The New York Times

"I'm grateful to John le Carre for refreshing all our memories about exactly how pompous an ass he can be," Rushdie shot back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a pompous ass", consider your audience and the context. It's an informal and somewhat vulgar expression, so it's best suited for casual conversations or writing where a strong, critical tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a pompous ass" simply to describe someone who is confident. The phrase implies a level of arrogance and self-importance that goes beyond mere self-assurance. Make sure the person's behavior truly warrants such a strong label.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pompous ass" functions primarily as a derogatory noun phrase. It is used to describe a person deemed excessively arrogant, self-important, and often irritatingly so. Ludwig examples show it used to express disdain or criticism.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pompous ass" is an informal, derogatory noun phrase used to describe someone considered overly arrogant and self-important. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, but its frequency is uncommon. It's primarily found in News & Media contexts, reflecting its use in expressing disapproval or criticism. While "a pompous ass" is acceptable in certain informal settings, it's crucial to consider the audience and context due to its somewhat vulgar nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase effectively labels and often ridicules the individual in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an arrogant fool

Replaces 'pompous' with 'arrogant' and 'ass' with 'fool', maintaining a similar level of intensity.

a conceited jerk

Substitutes 'pompous' with 'conceited' and 'ass' with the more modern and direct 'jerk'.

a self-important windbag

Replaces the original phrase with a more descriptive and less vulgar term, focusing on inflated self-regard.

a pretentious show-off

Changes the imagery from an animal to a descriptive action, highlighting the display of arrogance.

a haughty know-it-all

Focuses on the person's perceived intellectual superiority and arrogance.

an affected snob

Highlights the insincerity and social pretension of the person.

a supercilious individual

Uses a more formal and sophisticated term to describe someone who is arrogant and condescending.

an inflated ego

Shift the focus to the root cause for arrogance and self-importance.

a stuffed shirt

A classic idiom that suggests someone is overly formal, pompous, and out of touch.

a bighead

A simpler, more direct term for someone with an inflated ego.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pompous ass" to describe someone who acts with excessive arrogance or self-importance. For example, "He's such a "pompous ass", always bragging about his accomplishments."

What's a less offensive way to say "a pompous ass"?

If you want to avoid vulgar language, you could use alternatives like "an arrogant fool", "a conceited jerk", or "a self-important windbag".

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

No, the phrase "a pompous ass" is generally considered too informal and vulgar for formal writing. It's best to use more neutral and professional language in those contexts.

What's the difference between "a pompous ass" and "a stuffed shirt"?

"A pompous ass" implies arrogance and self-importance, while "a stuffed shirt" suggests someone is overly formal, rigid, and out of touch. While there can be overlap, the focus is different.