Don’t Get the Big Head
In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Don’t get the big head" means don’t become arrogant or overly proud after a success. It’s a folksy way of telling someone to stay humble.
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Oh you'll heard 'now don’t be gettin' the big head' all over down here, it's common. Oh you'll heard 'now don’t be gettin' the big head' all over down here, it's common. Pronunciation
Meaning & Usage
- To warn someone not to become conceited (verb phrase/dialect)
You’re pretty good at that banjo.Thanks - but don’t worry, I won’t get the big head.- To caution humility in the community (verb phrase/dialect)
They’re cheerin’ for you now, but don’t get the big head.Origin and Etymology
From Southern/Appalachian folk speech. The "big head" image of swelling with pride dates back to at least the 19th century and appears in regional newspapers, sermons, and folk tales.
Usage Notes
Still widely used in the South, especially among older generations, coaches, and parents. It’s far less common in northern states, where "get a big head" exists but without the folksy ring of "don’t get the big head."
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "don’t get the big head." Sometimes "don’t git a big head."