Ever heard the phrase “big up yourself” and wondered about the meaning? If so, then this is the article for you. Within these few words we will be covering not only the meaning of the phrase, but also its origin and how to use the phrase in everyday conversation, before rounding off with a section on similar and synonymous terms. Let’s go!
What does the phrase “big up yourself” mean?
To “big up yourself” is to acknowledge your own importance and value. It can be compared to the saying “give yourself fair credit”.
It comes from the phrasal verb “bigging up” which means to give praise or prominence to something or someone. Thus, “big up yourself” means to give yourself more praise and prominence.
Where does the phrase “big up yourself” come from?
The phrase “big up yourself” comes from Jamaican Patois, which is an English-based creole language with significant West African influences. While we know that Jamaican Patois developed from the 17th century, we don’t know whether the idea of bigging something or someone up is as old as this.
When Jamaican music and culture became mainstream in the United Kingdom thanks to reggae artists such as Bob Marley, it was common for artists to name check other singers and fans, by calling out things like “big up the London crew”. As time went on, this trend also spread to rap and hip hop.
By the year 2006, proof that the phrase had gone mainstream was solidified came when it was used by the prominent Conservative Party member, David Cameron when he was talking about bigging up Asda, a UK-based supermarket.
How you can use the phrase “big up yourself” featuring examples
Here are some typical whole sentence examples of the phrase in use in different contexts:
- Hey man, you need to big up yourself. It’s because of sound engineers like you that the band sounds so good to the crowd.
- You should big up yourself more, you did great out there, you knocked them out the park.
- The key to acing any job interview is to big up yourself. Talk with confidence and pride, and they’re sure to find confidence in you.
- Big up yourself Manchester, you’ve been an amazing audience tonight.
Phrases similar to “big up yourself” that may be used in its place
There are many similar and synonymous phrases that are comparable with “big up yourself”. Here are some examples:
- Give yourself due credit
- Shine like a star
- Puff your chest out
- Gas yourself up
Final word
So, to sum up, the phrase “big up yourself” comes from Jamaican Patois and means to praise yourself and make yourself more prominent in your own eyes and in the eyes of others. It’s a way of telling someone to congratulate themselves for their own value.
The phrase spread through the English speaking world thanks to Jamaican singers such as the reggae artist Bob Marley, and it certainly seems to have stuck.
