Devin J
Arrogance in conversation can be off-putting and frustrating, often leaving us at a loss for how to respond. While confrontation might not always be the best approach, a well-timed dose of sarcasm can help deflate the ego of even the most self-assured individual. Here, we’ve curated 15 sarcastic phrases designed to tactfully address arrogance and remind the overly confident that humility is a virtue worth cultivating.
“Please, continue. I’m taking notes on how not to behave in polite society.”
What this does is suggest you find their behavior inappropriate. You sarcastically imply you are taking notes to ensure you don’t behave similarly.
“Hold on, let me write this down. These are the kind of delusions I aspire to.”
This comment implies you consider their beliefs or statements absurd or delusional. It humorously suggests you might want to adopt such fantasies.
“You must be exhausted. Carrying all that around all day must be tiring.”
By responding with this, you’re telling them their overrated self-importance is a heavy burden they constantly carry. You’re saying it should be exhausting to maintain such an attitude.
Slowly clap your hands, making prolonged eye contact.
This non–verbal response shows you are unimpressed or mocking their arrogance. The prolonged eye contact makes your response more sarcastic.
“So, how long did it take you to develop such a refined sense of self-importance?”
When you ask this, you’re replying that haughtiness is not a natural trait but something they have consciously developed. You’re telling them they’re paying attention to the wrong things, in this case, being arrogant.
“That’s… certainly an interesting perspective.”
When done with the pause where the ellipses fall, you express disagreement or disapproval. Take out the pause, and you’ll have something else, but with it, you communicate to the speaker that you find their viewpoint unusual or misguided.
“Isn’t a little humility supposed to be a good thing?”
Here, you are calling out their lack of humbleness. The question suggests that their lack of modesty is a negative trait and that they should be more humble.
“You know, arrogance is actually a sign of insecurity.”
This statement is a subtle way of pointing out that their haughtiness may stem from underlying insecurities. It suggests their action is not as confident as it may seem.
“Well, this has been… enlightening.”
The pause before the positive word shows something negative was supposed to be there. This ironic remark suggests the conversation was not enlightening due to the person being full of themselves or their unhelpful contributions.
Simply walk away. Don’t engage.
What’s a better way to tell an arrogant person that their behavior is not worth your time or action? With this reply, you tell them you are not interested in engaging with someone like them.
“Is today National Arrogance Day?”
First, you’re pointing out that they are sharing their opinions arrogantly and unwelcomely. Next, you’re saying they should keep their opinions to themselves until National Arrogance Day—which is never!
“Wait, are you serious? I thought you were joking!”
This comment implies their statement or conduct is so arrogant that it seems like a joke. You’re suggesting their attitude is not appropriate or reasonable.
“Okay, my turn.”
Here, you’re claiming it feels like you’re in a competition for who is more haughty, and it’s your turn to share arrogantly. It can also mean the time for haughtiness is over.
“You must be very proud of yourself for knowing that.”
With this statement, you point out their overrated self-importance by saying they take pride in their knowledge or abilities. You’re also telling them you aren’t proud of their behavior.
A blank stare.
A blank stare can convey disbelief or disapproval of their overrated self-importance. It screams their action is so inappropriate or unreasonable that it leaves you speechless.
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