Holier-than-thou
/ˈhəʊ.li.ə ðən ˈðaʊ/ adj
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Hypocritically or self-righteously pious; sanctimonious; smugly morally superior. derogatory
"[T]here are local jealousies and disunities which are not likely to be soothed by the patent fact that companies which most strenuously assert the I-am-holier-than-thou claim daily violate the rules by which they profess to be invariably governed, [...]"
Adjective
- 1 excessively or hypocritically pious wordnet
Example
More examples"I don't like his holier-than-thou attitude."
Etymology
From Isaiah 65:5 in the Bible (King James Version; spelling modernized): “Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou”; from Biblical Hebrew קְדַשְׁתִּיךָ (qəḏaštîḵā).