(See also POMPOSITY.)

bridle To tuck in the chin and throw the head back as in vanity or scorn; to put on an air of disdain or offense; sometimes bridle up or back. The allusion is to the upward movement of a horse’s head when the reins are abruptly pulled. In use since 1480, the term appeared in Henry Fielding’s Amelia (1751):

high-hat To act in an aloof, snobbish, or condescending manner.

This expression, alluding to the tall headgear formerly worn by the wealthy, usually refers to a manner of behavior, although it is also often used as a moniker for a pompous or pretentious person.

look down one’s nose To regard in a condescending manner; to view with disdain or disgust. A person who literally looks down his nose bears a countenance of disapproval or arrogance. The expression carries a strong suggestion of snobbery or haughtiness.

on one’s high horse With one’s nose in the air; pretentious, arrogant, affected; also to ride or mount the high horse, to get down off one’s high horse, and other variants. In royal pageants of former times persons of high rank rode on tall horses, literally above the common people. Use of the expression dates from the late 18th century.

toffee-nosed Stuck-up, with one’s nose in the air, conceited, pretentious, stuffy. Although the origin of this British slang term is not certain, it may be related to the stickiness of the candy.