Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does "break his arm patting his own back" mean?

Speaking from the floor of the Roman Senate, he could bring down the house with a single line--not to mention shill for his friends, skewer his opponents, and break his arm patting his own back.
_________________
Hiromichi

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello hiromichi -

When you physically give someone a "pat on the back" it is expresses a positive feeling.

When used as a spoken expression (idiom?)...it means to congratulate someone for a job well done or praise for some reason.

So.....if someone "pats 'themself' on the back"... it means they are praising themself....bragging, talking about how good they are, etc.

And ...if someone is "breaking their arm" patting themself on their back...
well....you can imagine to what degree/extent they are praising themself.

[hiromichi]

Philo Kevetch, I get it. Thank you very much.
_________________
Hiromichi