Don’t Get the Big Head

In Appalachian and Southern speech, "Don’t get the big head" means don’t become arrogant or overly proud after a success. It’s a folksy way of telling someone to stay humble.

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Hillbilly Dude Says...

Oh you'll heard 'now don’t be gettin' the big head' all over down here, it's common.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Oh you'll heard 'now don’t be gettin' the big head' all over down here, it's common.

Pronunciation

[DONT git thuh BIG HED]

Meaning & Usage

- To warn someone not to become conceited (verb phrase/dialect)

Mae:

You’re pretty good at that banjo.

Earl:

Thanks - but don’t worry, I won’t get the big head.

- To caution humility in the community (verb phrase/dialect)

Mae:

They’re cheerin’ for you now, but don’t get the big head.

variations: don’t git the big head

★ "Get the big head" is a classic mountain expression - the "big head" is a metaphor for swollen pride. It’s still common in rural Southern speech and high school sports pep talks. ★

Origin and Etymology

From Southern/Appalachian folk speech. The "big head" image of swelling with pride dates back to at least the 19th century and appears in regional newspapers, sermons, and folk tales.

Usage Notes

Still widely used in the South, especially among older generations, coaches, and parents. It’s far less common in northern states, where "get a big head" exists but without the folksy ring of "don’t get the big head."

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "don’t get the big head." Sometimes "don’t git a big head."

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "get the big head" mean literally swelling up?

No - it’s a figurative way to say "becoming conceited."

Is it still said today?

Yes - still a staple admonition in the South and Appalachia.

Is it unique to the South?

"Big head" exists elsewhere, but "don’t get the big head" as a set phrase is strongly Southern/Appalachian.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 18). Don’t Get the Big Head. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-get-the-big-head
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Don’t Get the Big Head." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-get-the-big-head.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Don’t Get the Big Head." HillbillySlang.com. September 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/dont-get-the-big-head.

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