high and mighty

comparative higher and mightier · comparative more high and mighty · superlative highest and mightiest · superlative most high and mighty

1. figurativelyOverbearingly arrogant; ostentatiously self-important or self-aggrandizing.

   The high and mighty are to be found at the Fairlawn Country Club on pleasant afternoons.

   4 more examples

   Ever since she was placed in the gifted program, she's become so high and mighty that no one wants to be near her.

   Ponds drew a chair to the table and seated himself and poured Mrs Dibble a gin, saying solemnly, "Now then, Mrs Dibble, what's it all about?" "I'm upholding my rights agen that woman that's been coming the high and mighty over me like I ain't got the right to say a word in me own business."

   1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 157

   When Inanna returns she finds that Dumuzi has not been lamenting her but has been acting high and mighty in his seat of kingship.

   1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 179

   For the swooning faithful, all the high-and-mighty talk of the rule of the law is of little account compared with the hot flush, the racing pulse, the pure yee-haw MAGA-hellion USA high they get from glowing in the radiant heat of the Strong Man.

   2023 September 2, Simon Schama, “The real Rino”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 1

2. historicalA courtesy title applied to members of the States General of the Dutch Republic.

   High and Mighty Lords, My lords, I could not omit adviſing of your high and mighty lordſhips, that here arrived two ambaſſadors from the great duke of Muſcovy, who have yet had no audience, it being but four days ſince.

   1657 January 26, James Strycker [Giacomo Strijcker], “Conſul Strycker to the States General.”, in Thomas Birch, editor, A collection of the state papers of John Thurloe, Eſq;, volume 5, published 1742, page 791

   2 more examples

   To the High and Migthie Lords States-Generall at The Haghe. (…) Most High and Mightie Lords, After I had my dispatch from the king of Barbary Muley Sidan, the same day I was to embarke, came to me the alkaid of Saffia with a packet of letters directed to Your High and Mightie Lords, whearin one (as he told me) for the king of Frannce, which he said the King commanded him to deliver unto me with his owne hands, and that I lykewise should deliver them my selfe.

   1615 March 16, John Harrison, “Lettre de John Harrison aux États-Généraux”, in Henry de Castries, editor, Les sources inédites de l'histoire du Maroc de 1530 à 1845. 1e série: Dynastie saadienne, published 1906-1923, page 506

   High and Mighty Lords The Subscriber has the Honour to propose to your High Mightinesses, that the United States of America, in Congress Assembled, have lately thought fit to send him a Commission (with full Powers and Instructions) to confer with your High Mightinesses, concerning a Treaty of Amity and Commerce, an authentic Copy of which he has the Honour to annex to this Memorial.

   1781 April 19, John Adams, “Memorial to the States General, 19 April 1781”, in Gregg L. Lint, Richard Alan Ryerson, Anne Decker Cecere, Celeste Walker, Jennifer Shea, C. James Taylor., editors, The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, volume 11, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, published 2003, pages 272–282

plural high and mighties

1. idiomaticAn arrogant or self-important person.

   My connection with these high-and-mighties ought to be purely professional, and so, in a manner, it is, but on the top of it I find myself drawn into a full-blooded, old haunted house mystery that takes me clean out of my depth.

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC