stand on one's dignity
Insist on respect
To stand on one's dignity is to insist on being treated with the respect one believes one deserves, often in situations where others are being more casual or familiar.
The phrase typically carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting stiffness or excessive formality.
Someone who stands on their dignity may refuse to participate in activities they consider beneath them or take offense at perceived slights.
He stood on his dignity and refused to answer the reporter's impertinent questions.
- self-respectValuing one's own worth
- decorumFitting social conduct
- stiff upper lipControlled emotional restraint
- indignationAnger from mistreatment
- wounded prideDamaged self-regard from offense
pride · high horse · courtesy · self-possession · saving face · resentment · embarrassment · protocol · punctiliousness · autonomy · personal space · haughtiness · honor · moral high ground · self-assertion · umbrage · defiance · self-regard
stand on one's dignityswallow one's pride
Accept wounded ego gracefully
muck in · eat humble pie · roll up one's sleeves · get one's hands dirty · let one's hair down
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