Intuitive fred888: Davy Crockett used the phrase "Too big for his britches" when talking about President Andrew Jackson

begin quotes from AI Overview

The phrase "too big for one's britches" (or "breeches") first appeared in print in 1835 in An Account of Col. Crockett's Tour to the North and Down East written by American folk hero and politician Davy Crockett.

Meaning

It means someone is acting conceited, arrogant, or full of their own importance.

It suggests a person has grown or puffed themselves up too much for their station, clothes, or role.

Crockett's Context

Crockett used the phrase when talking about President Andrew Jackson.

He wrote: "I myself was one of the first to fire a gun under Andrew Jackson. I helped to give him all his glory. But I liked him well once: but when a man gets too big for his breeches, I say Good bye."

Over time, people shortened or adapted the saying into everyday southern and American vernacular, and a variation ("too big for his boots") later emerged in Britain around the 1860s.

Would you like to know more about Davy Crockett's political career or the history of other American frontier idioms?

Phrase Finder
Too Big For Your Breeches
What's the origin of the phrase 'Too big for your breeches'? 'Too big for your breeches', or 'too big for your britches', sounds l...
The Tennessean
Opinion: The danger of getting too big for our breeches
Davy Crockett understood the danger of getting too big for our breeches | Opinion “Do you know whose chair you are sitting in?” He...

The history behind the phrase 'too big for his britches'

southernthing.com

https://www.southernthing.com › too-big-for-your-britc...

Nov 8, 2025 — So, the next time you hear someone utter that a friend is too big for his britches, think of Davy Crockett. ... Too big for one's britches › ...