"blow one's own horn" 是一个常用的英语口语短语,核心含义是“自吹自擂,自我吹嘘,炫耀自己的成就/能力”。
这个短语源于西方文化中“用号角(horn)宣告自己的功绩”的传统——古代士兵或猎人会通过吹号角来展示自己的胜利(比如打猎归来吹号报喜),后来引申为“主动宣扬自己的优点,不谦虚地夸自己”。
指主动、不谦虚地强调自己的成就、能力或优势,带有轻微的贬义(隐含“过于自负”的意味)。
1、 基本结构:
主语 + blow + 形容词性物主代词(my/your/his/her/our/their)+ own horn
(物主代词需与主语一致,比如“I blow my own horn”“He blows his own horn”)
2、 常见搭配:
blow one's own horn about sth:为某事自夸
例:She's always blowing her own horn about her promotion.(她总在为自己的晋升自吹自擂。)
blow one's own horn that...:自夸(某事)
例:He blows his own horn that he's the best player on the team.(他自夸是队里最棒的球员。)
英式英语中常用 blow one's own trumpet(意思完全相同,“trumpet”是“小号”,更符合英式表达习惯);
同义词:brag about oneself(自夸)、boast about oneself(吹嘘)、self-promote(自我推销,更中性)。
适用场景:多用于非正式口语(日常对话、吐槽他人自负),正式场合很少用(可替换为“self-promote”或“highlight one's achievements”);
情感色彩:通常带轻微贬义,隐含“这个人不够谦虚”的评价;
反义表达:be modest(谦虚)、downplay one's achievements(低调处理成就)。
Don't blow your own horn too much—people will think you're arrogant.(别太自夸了,别人会觉得你傲慢。)
He never blows his own horn, but everyone knows he's a genius.(他从不自夸,但大家都知道他是个天才。)
She blew her own horn about winning the award for 10 minutes straight.(她连续10分钟都在炫耀自己获奖的事。)
总结:"blow one's own horn" 是描述“自我吹嘘”的生动表达,记住它的核心是“主动夸自己”,结合具体语境理解即可~