humble brag

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "humble brag" is considered correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase is typically used to describe a statement that appears to be modest or self-deprecating, but is actually intended to boast or draw attention to one's accomplishments. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as social media posts, conversations, or in a written piece. Example: "I'm so exhausted from all the traveling I've been doing lately, it's really taking a toll on me. But I'm grateful for all the amazing opportunities that come with my job." (This is an example of a humble brag, as the speaker is implying that their job involves a lot of travel and is successful, while still appearing to be modest and downplaying their achievements.).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Social Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Now that I know about the humble brag, I vow to really try and never again humbly brag.

Huffington Post

Humble brag?

The New York Times

Believe me, this is not a humble brag.

The New York Times

Nigel is a master of the humble brag.

The Guardian

This is my humble brag, my bravado, my foolish affection to write the same poem year after year.

The New Yorker

And though it's true that the young man he recalls is in some senses a stranger, the claim that he "cannot paint" him is really a humble brag, because, of course, the poem does exactly that.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Often these grievances are what we would now call humble brags.

The New Yorker

Beyond such clichés, the potential hazards of bios are well known to any social-media user: humble brags ("For some reason they put me in the movies"), unchecked self-promotion ("See my new movie, out this Christmas") and the blandly literal ("I am a professional actor in a motion picture feature scheduled for wide release Dec. 25").

The New York Times

Never comes at me with the humble brag--along with all the obvious subtext attached.

Huffington Post

The word busy is used almost exclusively for humble bragging.

Vice

Sign up now to get tHumblet of VICE Canada delivered straight to your inbragging

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, opt for more formal terms like "false modesty" if you need to maintain a strictly academic or corporate tone.

Common error

Avoid labeling every mention of success as a "humble brag". A true "humble brag" requires an element of complaint or 'woe is me' attitude used as a vehicle for the boast. If someone is simply being modest about a genuine struggle, it is not a brag.

Linguistic Context

In modern English, "humble brag" functions as a compound noun or phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to identify a specific type of social signaling where the speaker attempts to bypass the negative social stigma of bragging by wrapping the boast in a layer of self-criticism or modesty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Wiki & Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Formal Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "humble brag" has become an essential part of the modern lexicon, particularly in the age of social media. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and widely accepted phrase used to describe the act of boasting under the guise of humility. While it is most prevalent in news and lifestyle media, its appearance in high-authority sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times confirms its legitimacy in professional writing. To use it effectively, remember that the hallmark of a true "humble brag" is the paradoxical combination of an achievement and a complaint. When writing in more academic or formal business settings, consider transitioning to alternatives like "false modesty" to ensure the tone remains appropriately elevated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

false modesty

Focuses on the psychological trait of pretending to be humble rather than the specific act of bragging

modest boast

More formal and traditional version of the same concept

self-deprecating brag

Explicitly describes the mechanism of using self-criticism to highlight an achievement

subtle flex

More contemporary slang that highlights the act of showing off rather than the humility

stealth boast

Emphasizes the hidden or 'under the radar' nature of the brag

indirect bragging

A broader description of any boast that is not straightforward

affected humility

Focuses on the insincerity of the humble presentation

veiled conceit

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe hidden pride

covert vanity

Highlights the vanity behind the action using a more clinical tone

masked pride

A simpler way to describe hiding one's accomplishments behind another emotion

FAQs

How do I use "humble brag" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun to describe a statement, such as "Her post about being too tired from her world tour was a total "humble brag"". It also functions as a verb, like in the sentence "He loves to "humble brag" about his busy schedule".

What is a more formal way to say "humble brag"?

In formal writing, you should consider using terms like ""false modesty"" or "affected humility" to convey the same meaning without using modern slang.

Is "humble brag" one word or two?

It is most commonly written as two separate words, though you may occasionally see it hyphenated as "humble-brag" when used as an adjective or verb in specific style guides. Ludwig examples show the two-word version is standard.

What's the difference between a "humble brag" and a "subtle flex"?

While a ""humble brag"" specifically uses self-deprecation or complaints to hide the boast, a "subtle flex" is simply an indirect way of showing off without necessarily pretending to be humble or unhappy.