a touch of arrogance

USAGE SUMMARY

"a touch of arrogance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means a small amount or hint of arrogance. It can be used in a variety of sentences and contexts, such as: - "Despite his charming demeanor, there was always a touch of arrogance in the way he carried himself." - "Her confident tone was tinged with a touch of arrogance, which made some people feel uncomfortable." - "I was impressed by her skills, but there was also a touch of arrogance in the way she spoke about her accomplishments." - "The politician's speech had a touch of arrogance, which turned off some voters." - "He was known for his intelligence and drive, but also his tendency to display a touch of arrogance in certain situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr D'Alema also has more than a touch of arrogance, which he cannot be bothered to hide.

The Economist

Robbie Kempson, a former prop who is now manager of the Kings Rugby Academy in Port Elizabeth, accused the side packed with 888 Test caps of "tactical naivety" and "a touch of arrogance".

The Guardian - Sport

Frank, bold and with a touch of arrogance, the comments were Renzi down to a T. Moreover they referred to what is considered one of his defining moments: the point in September 2008 when he decided that, having become Italy's youngest provincial president at 29, he wanted more: namely, the mayorship of Florence.

The Guardian

Beshel speaks of her considerable accomplishments without a touch of arrogance, and repeatedly mentions that she is both deeply grateful and loyal to a firm that to her feels like a family.

Forbes

A touch of arrogance perhaps?

Huffington Post

Now, you may say with a touch of arrogance, "I don't watch TV news", and you would not be alone.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Also, Delbanco acknowledges, "Violet has a touch of intellectual arrogance toward Tom that probably comes from our early days, when I would say things to Nick like 'So tell me about this salary that you earn.' " Act III: They wound up at the Oak Room at the Plaza, where they had oysters and Bloody Marys and took a photograph of themselves brimming with joy.

The New Yorker

Prone to long monologues of which he was both self-conscious and proud, he emanated wisdom, deep knowledge and a touch of the arrogance that often accompanies great success.

Huffington Post

But this is the Big Show, an all too human collection of aspiration and inspiration, not a small touch of arrogance, and yet the uncanny whiff of occasionally and ultimately pulling it off.

TechCrunch

It is only two years since he was starting at fly-half for England in New Zealand but after making an acrimonious move from Gloucester to Leicester that summer he struggled to regain the daring and touch of arrogance that had marked him out from the start of his senior career as one of the most exciting players in England.

The Guardian - Sport

He asked deeply, with a hint of arrogance.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch of arrogance" to subtly critique a character or situation, avoiding overly harsh or direct language. It's perfect for implying a flaw without being condemnatory.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch of arrogance" repeatedly in close proximity. Variety in descriptive language will make your writing more engaging and nuanced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch of arrogance" functions as a modifier, typically used to describe a person's behavior, attitude, or general demeanor. As Ludwig AI indicates, it implies a slight or subtle degree of arrogance. Examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in news and media.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a touch of arrogance" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate a slight degree of arrogance. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and versatile. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, reflecting its suitability for nuanced commentary. While other alternatives like "a hint of arrogance" or "an air of superiority" exist, "a touch of arrogance" offers a balanced and widely understood way to express a subtle critique. It's important to use the phrase judiciously and avoid overuse for the sake of variety and maintaining reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of arrogance

Emphasizes a subtle indication or suggestion of arrogance, rather than a more pronounced presence.

a shade of arrogance

Implies a very slight or subtle degree of arrogance, similar to a nuance.

an air of superiority

Focuses on the outward manifestation of feeling superior, rather than the underlying arrogance itself.

a degree of conceit

Replaces "arrogance" with "conceit", highlighting the self-centered aspect of the behavior.

a tinge of haughtiness

Substitutes "arrogance" with "haughtiness", suggesting a disdainful or condescending attitude.

a dash of presumption

Uses "presumption" to underscore the aspect of taking liberties or assuming too much, which can be related to arrogance.

a soupçon of hubris

Employs the French term "soupçon" and the word "hubris" to imply a trace of excessive pride or self-confidence that can lead to downfall.

a whiff of condescension

Highlights the condescending aspect, suggesting that the person acts as if they are better than others.

a subtle self-importance

Focuses on an understated sense of one's own significance or value, hinting at arrogance without being overt.

a touch of vanity

Replaces arrogance with vanity focusing on excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements.

FAQs

How can I use "a touch of arrogance" in a sentence?

You can use "a touch of arrogance" to describe someone's behavior or attitude. For example, "Despite his success, there was always "a touch of arrogance" in his demeanor."

What are some alternatives to "a touch of arrogance"?

Alternatives include "a hint of arrogance", "an air of superiority", or "a degree of conceit". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a touch of arrogance" or "a lot of arrogance"?

"A touch of arrogance" implies a small amount, while "a lot of arrogance" indicates a significant degree. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of arrogance you want to describe.

What's the difference between "a touch of arrogance" and "a hint of arrogance"?

The phrases are very similar. "Touch" suggests a slightly more perceptible presence than "hint", but they are often interchangeable. Consider "a shade of arrogance" for a less detectable instance.