foolish pride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolish pride" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive or unreasonable sense of self-importance or dignity that leads to negative consequences. Example: "His foolish pride prevented him from asking for help, even when he desperately needed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

FAR CRY 3 Blood Dragon Released on April 30 Developed by Ubisoft For PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC Rated M (Mature) for violence, blood, nudity and sexual content "The game is stupid," Dean Evans, the creative director of Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, recently told reporters, not with foolish pride but with pride in foolishness.

The New York Times - Arts

Maybe a little bit of my old foolish pride got in the way".

The New York Times - Sports

It is not foolish pride to suppose there is something more to Homo sapiens than Caenorhabditis elegans.

The New York Times - Science

The characters inhabit a world that for all intents and purposes has become a mausoleum, a monument to their foolish pride and their venality.

The New York Times

I had even started deriving a foolish pride out of my Facebook popularity; however, I would now forgo 1,726 of them for one person I can count on.

The New York Times

Ali was spent too, Frazier still wanted "to show him the error of his foolish pride", and who knows what his left hook could have done to that pretty face.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The tournament itself dashed me headlong into a sea of emotions I had barely skimmed the surface of until that point: blind hope, beaming pride, foolish confidence, and inevitably, heart-wrenching despair.

The Guardian - Music

Galina Chumak is proud to be Greek, however foolish she knows that pride may be.

The Washington Post

In this month's Woman's Home Companion he has an original poem entitled "God of Battles:" "From Pride and foolish confidence, From every weakened creed, From the dread fear of fearing, Protect us Lord and lead.

The New Yorker

Like many foolish males, I almost prided myself on not going often enough.

Independent

—Pride and Prejudice (1813) Surprises are foolish things.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foolish pride" to describe situations where someone's sense of self-worth leads them to make poor decisions or refuse help.

Common error

Avoid using "foolish pride" when you simply mean someone has confidence in their abilities. The phrase implies a negative consequence stemming from that confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foolish pride" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'foolish' modifies the noun 'pride'. It describes a specific type of pride that is characterized by being unreasonable or misguided. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foolish pride" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that describes an unreasonable or misguided sense of self-worth. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, primarily within News & Media. While not exceptionally common, the phrase serves the purpose of negatively characterizing someone's pride, suggesting it leads to detrimental outcomes. Related phrases like "misguided arrogance" and "unfounded conceit" offer alternative ways to express this concept. Use this phrase judiciously to accurately convey the negative implications of excessive pride.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misguided arrogance

Emphasizes the mistaken or unjustified nature of the arrogance.

unfounded conceit

Highlights the lack of basis for the high opinion of oneself.

unjustified vanity

Focuses on the unwarranted nature of the excessive admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.

empty boasting

Shifts the focus to the act of bragging without substance.

hollow self-importance

Underscores the lack of genuine worth behind the inflated sense of self.

inflated ego

Uses a more direct term for self-esteem and implies it's excessively high.

presumptuous pride

Highlights the overstepping of boundaries and taking liberties based on an exaggerated sense of importance.

hubristic folly

Connects excessive pride with foolish behavior.

vainglorious delusion

Combines vanity with a strong belief in something false or misleading.

foolhardy self-regard

Links foolishness to an inflated sense of oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "foolish pride" in a sentence?

You might say, "His "foolish pride" prevented him from admitting he needed assistance", or "The leader's "foolish pride" led to the downfall of the company".

What's a good alternative to "foolish pride"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "misguided arrogance", "unfounded conceit", or "inflated ego".

Is "foolish pride" the same as healthy self-esteem?

No, "foolish pride" implies a negative consequence resulting from an excessive or unwarranted sense of self-importance. Healthy self-esteem, on the other hand, is a balanced and realistic appreciation of oneself.

What's the difference between "foolish pride" and arrogance?

"Foolish pride" specifically suggests the pride is misguided or leads to foolish actions. Arrogance, while similar, focuses more on the outward display of feeling superior.