Boast meaning in English
Learn how to use Boast correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to boast: to glorify oneself, to brag, to show off
Kevin often boasted about owning a Mercedes and a BMW, until they were both stolen. He doesn't talk about his possessions anymore.
boastful: arrogant, one that exhibits self-importance, self-aggrandizing
Without being boastful, I graduated at the top of my class at Oxford. Well, I suppose that I am boasting a little bit, but when you have achieved the things I have, one has a right to brag.
Examples
- "These days, boasting about short nights seems more silly than manly, not to mention that anyone still working on Wall Street is lucky to have a job during these tough economic times!"
Exercise 1
How would you characterize Mayor Flimshaw's statement that his home is "spacious, elegant and tastefully decorated"?
How would you characterize Mayor Flimshaw's statement that his home is "spacious, elegant and tastefully decorated"?
The mayor's statement is just the opposite. "Humble" means "modest", whereas the mayor is speaking proudly about the size and luxury of his home.
Something "nuanced" is something subtle or understated, which is not the case here. The mayor's description of his house is arrogant and exaggerated. This is not the best choice here.
Although Mayor Flimshaw's speech was generally quite political, this particular phrase is not at all. He is speaking of his home, which is unrelated to political ideas.
This is the best choice here. The mayor's statement is arrogant and egotistical. He speaks about the size of his home and its decorations "To boast" means to say things to glorify oneself.
Exercise 2
Which of the following pairs of words from this article are synonyms?
Which of the following pairs of words from this article are synonyms?
This is incorrect. 'Mood' describes someone's humor or feeling. Example: I'm in a bad mood = I'm not feeling happy. 'Behavior' describes someone's comportment or the way they act. Example: Her bad behavior at the party disturbed us all.
The verbs 'to boast' and 'to brag' both express the same meaning: to vaunt or to speak arrogantly or self-indulgently about oneself. For example: He bragged about his salary all night, or she boasted about her relationship with the president. In this article, we read that people used to boast or brag about sleeping very little.
This is incorrect. Though both of these terms refer to children, they describe children of different ages. 'A toddler' describes a child between the ages of 1 and 3 ('to toddle' means to walk, so a toddler is a child who is beginning to walk). 'A newborn' is a baby who has just been born (0 to 1 month).
This is incorrect. 'Silly' describes something which is comical, ridiculous, asinine or insipid. Example: Stop making silly faces! 'Manly' describes something which is macho, masculine, or traditionally associated with men. Example: Hunting is a manly hobby.
Exercise 3
Listen to the audio, then fill in the blanks with the missing terms.
The English in Denmark is phenomenal. It's our . We speak it most Americans, probably. I don't want to , but it's really, really excellent.
Listen to the audio, then fill in the blanks with the missing terms.
The English in Denmark is simply phenomenal. It's our second language . We speak it better than most Americans, probably. I don't want to boast , but it's really, really excellent.
Exercise 4
Bruno "doesn't go around kidnapping monkeys."
Another way to express this is: Bruno
Another way to express this is: Bruno
Bruno "doesn't go around kidnapping monkeys."
Another way to express this is: Bruno doesn't make a habit of kidnapping monkeys.
Another way to express this is: Bruno doesn't make a habit of kidnapping monkeys.
doesn't make a habit of kidnapping monkeys.: This is the correct choice. The expression "I don't go around (stealing cars)" means "I don't make a habit of stealing cars" or "I don't steal cars on a regular basis". This expression can also be used in the affirmative to express that something is done regularly or habitually: I like to go around taking photos of the monuments in Paris. However, the expression is generally used in the negative. In the dialogue, Bruno uses this expression to distinguish his "legitimate" or "moral" actions from Dr. Badguy's "evil" actions.
doesn't make his living by kidnapping monkeys.: This is incorrect. The idiom "to make a living" or "to earn a living" refers to someone's job, or to the way someone makes money. For example: My father makes a living by shining shoes. This indicates that "my father's" job is to shine shoes'. We can also use the expression in more of a financial sense: my mother is an artist, but she makes her living as a part time school teacher. This means that although she is an artist, my mother makes money by teaching. This idiom does not share a similar meaning with Bruno's remark "I don't go around" kidnapping monkeys.
is not impressed by kidnapping monkeys.: "To be impressed by something" does not share a similar idea with Bruno's remark. Bruno is expressing that he and Dr. Badguy are very different, not that he isn't "influenced" or "affected" by Badguy's actions.
wouldn't boast about kidnapping monkeys.: This is not a good choice. To "boast" means to speak in an ostentatious or pretentious manner about something. Example: Philip is always boasting about how many women he's slept with. This expression doesn't reflect what Bruno tells Dr. Badguy.
Exercise 5
What is the main purpose of Brian's email?
What is the main purpose of Brian's email?
This is not correct. Brian has two tickets, but only one of them is 'spare', or 'available'. He also never mentions 'selling' the spare ticket in exchange for money.
This is the best answer here. Brian writes that he has 'a great opportunity for one of' his colleagues and asks them to 'get in touch if (they) want the spare ticket'. He also explains that he has two tickets to see a ballet performance, but that the friend who was going to use the second ticket is unable to attend. This means that Brian is looking for someone to accompany him to the ballet.
Although Brian does describe the Opera House in some detail, this is simply to help convince his colleagues that going to the ballet with him would be enjoyable. The description of the venue is not the main aim of Brian's email.
To 'boast' is to 'show off', or 'tell others how great you are'. This is not Brian's style, and not the purpose of his email!
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