swallow your pride

USAGE SUMMARY

'swallow your pride' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an expression meaning to put aside one's ego, shame, or stubbornness in order to move forward in a situation. For example, "After our argument I had to swallow my pride and apologize to my friend for my harsh behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

jjal44 You need to swallow your pride.

The Guardian - Money

June 7-8: "Swallow Your Pride".

The New York Times - Arts

So you swallow your pride and just do it".

The Guardian

All you have to do is swallow your pride and ask for it.

The New York Times

Sometimes you need to swallow your pride and get on with it".

The New York Times

"Dad, why don't you swallow your pride and just pay the man," she asks.

The Guardian

But sometimes you have to swallow your pride and figure out what's best".

The New York Times - Sports

If you are wrong, swallow your pride and acknowledge your mistake.

The New York Times

2) Swallow your pride, admit your mistake and withdraw the red card.

The Guardian - Sport

These are never easy sells; with some high-end clients, he said, "you have to swallow your pride".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

To heed more rational monetary considerations in the face of an unfair offer, she says, requires that you "swallow your pride --or the sliver of pride --or is a form of emotional control.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swallow your pride" when advising someone to set aside their ego in order to achieve a goal or maintain a relationship. It's effective when the alternative is stubbornness or conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "swallow your pride" when the situation calls for standing up for your principles or values. It's not appropriate when it means compromising your integrity.

Linguistic Context

"Swallow your pride" functions as an idiomatic expression used to advise or suggest that someone should suppress their feelings of pride or arrogance. It serves as a call to humility, enabling resolution or progress in a situation. The Ludwig examples confirm its use across diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

31%

Huffington Post

11%

Less common in

Science

8%

The New York Times - Sports

2%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "swallow your pride" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to encourage humility and compromise. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating its relevance in general discussions and advice. Though Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, context is important; it's best used when aiming for resolution or progress, not when compromising core values. Related phrases include "humble oneself" and "eat humble pie". Be mindful to use it when urging someone to set aside their ego for the greater good, and avoid it when it means sacrificing principles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put aside your ego

Directly addresses setting aside one's ego, often in the context of collaboration or compromise.

humble oneself

Focuses on the act of making oneself lower in status or importance, emphasizing humility.

eat humble pie

This idiom suggests admitting a mistake or accepting humiliation gracefully.

face the music

Refers to accepting the consequences of one's actions, which may involve swallowing pride and admitting fault.

bite the bullet

Suggests facing a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and stoicism, which may involve suppressing pride.

take it on the chin

Implies enduring a setback or disappointment with resilience, often involving suppressing feelings of pride or resentment.

grin and bear it

Focuses on enduring a hardship or embarrassment with a positive attitude, implicitly requiring one to suppress pride.

lower your sights

Suggests adjusting expectations downward, which might involve relinquishing pride or ambition.

accept your fate

Implies resignation and acceptance of a situation, which might involve relinquishing pride or resistance.

bow down

Expresses submitting to someone or something, which entails surrendering one's pride or sense of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "swallow your pride" in a sentence?

You can use "swallow your pride" to suggest someone should suppress their ego or feelings of superiority in order to achieve a better outcome. For instance, "He had to "swallow your pride" and apologize even though he believed he was right."

What's a less common way to say "swallow your pride"?

While "swallow your pride" is a common idiom, you could use alternatives like "humble oneself" or "eat humble pie" to convey a similar meaning, although these might carry slightly different connotations.

When is it not appropriate to "swallow your pride"?

It may not be appropriate to "swallow your pride" if doing so means compromising your values or accepting unfair treatment. Sometimes, standing your ground is more important than avoiding conflict.

What's the difference between "swallow your pride" and "accept your fate"?

"Swallow your pride" implies setting aside ego or arrogance, while "accept your fate" suggests resigning oneself to an unavoidable outcome. The former involves a conscious choice to act differently, whereas the latter implies a lack of agency.