smell one's own farts en · VERB
Etymology
Named after the fact that one is liable to become acclimatized to, or even come to like, the smell of one's own farts, whilst still recognizing others' as foul. The acclimatization is likened to becoming out-of-touch with the reality of one's mediocrity.
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To become conceited; to believe that one's achievements are greater than they really are.
These ivory-tower bureaucrats have been sitting in an echo chamber for months now, smelling their own farts, not realizing these ham-fisted policies really aren't working.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| smelled one's own farts | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| smelled one's own farts | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| smelling one's own farts | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| smells one's own farts | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| sniff one's own farts | alternative | lexicographic |