English Explanatory Dictionary

beat one's chest

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To brag ostentatiously.
  2. Synonym of beat one's breast (“lament”).

Word forms

beat one's chest beats one's chest beating one's chest beaten one's chest

Etymology

The bragging sense may have come from, and certainly connotatively evokes, the theme of gorillas beating their chests in displays of dominance, aggression, defense, or otherwise.

Synonyms

beat one's breast

Related words

chest-beating chest-thumping
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