ego trip
UncommonInformal, critical
Definition
Meaning
An act or series of actions undertaken to boost one's own self-esteem, importance, or image, often in a self-indulgent and conspicuous way.
Any activity, project, or behaviour primarily motivated by a desire for self-glorification, personal validation, or public admiration, rather than by its ostensible purpose.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun ('He's on an ego trip'). Can be used as a hyphenated verb ('to ego-trip') and adjective ('ego-tripping'), though less common. Carries a negative connotation, implying vanity, self-absorption, or narcissism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more prevalent in American media and pop psychology discourse.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both dialects.
Frequency
Low frequency in formal contexts in both regions. Slightly higher frequency in American English in informal/critical commentary.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] be on an ego trip[Subject] go on an ego trip[Subject] ego-trip (verb)It's just an ego trip for [Person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's just an ego trip.”
- “He's on a massive ego trip.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The CEO's new skyscraper is widely seen as a corporate ego trip rather than a sound investment.'
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; may appear in critical theory or sociology discussing narcissism in culture.
Everyday
'He didn't buy the sports car for performance; it was a total ego trip.'
Technical
Not used in technical fields. Belongs to informal, socio-psychological commentary.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He's just ego-tripping in front of the new interns.
- Stop ego-tripping and listen to the team's ideas.
American English
- She spent the whole meeting ego-tripping about her promotion.
- Politicians love to ego-trip during election season.
adverb
British English
- This is rarely used as an adverb. No standard example.
American English
- This is rarely used as an adverb. No standard example.
adjective
British English
- It was an ego-tripping display of wealth that put everyone off.
- His ego-tripping behaviour in the office is becoming a problem.
American English
- The film was criticized for its ego-tripping director's cameo.
- We're tired of his ego-tripping antics on social media.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His new phone is just an ego trip.
- She is on an ego trip with her new job.
- Building such a huge statue was really just the mayor's ego trip.
- Some people think social media is one big ego trip.
- Critics dismissed the billionaire's space flight as a frivolous ego trip, lacking scientific merit.
- The manager's sudden interest in mentoring was transparently an ego trip to boost his own reputation.
- The controversial monument, funded by private donors, was lambasted in the press as a narcissistic ego trip that clashed with the city's architectural ethos.
- Her memoir crossed the line from candid reflection into unapologetic ego trip, meticulously cataloguing every minor accolade she'd ever received.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TRIP (journey) your EGO goes on to feel bigger and more important. An EGO TRIP is a journey for your ego's benefit.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF-IMPORTANCE IS A JOURNEY / VALUING ONESELF IS A RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'поездка эго'. The concept is 'самовосхваление', 'самолюбование', or a phrase like 'заняться самопиаром'.
- The word 'trip' here does not imply a mistake or stumble (as in 'to trip over'), nor a drug-induced experience, though the latter is a closer etymological link.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing it with 'power trip' (focused on exerting control over others).
- Using it as a positive term. It is almost always critical.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'ego trip' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is almost exclusively used as a criticism to label an activity as self-serving and motivated by vanity.
An 'ego trip' is focused on boosting one's self-image and receiving admiration. A 'power trip' is focused on exercising authority or control over others to feel dominant.
Yes, but it is informal and less common. The verb form is usually hyphenated: 'to ego-trip' (e.g., 'He's always ego-tripping about his past achievements').
It emerged in American counterculture slang of the 1960s, combining 'ego' (the self) with 'trip' (in the sense of a psychedelic experience), metaphorically meaning a self-indulgent psychological journey.