se la péter
to show off / to be full of oneself / to flex
Advanced Verb
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Pronunciation
/sə la pe.te/
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Cultural Note
The ultimate anti-pretension weapon. In a culture that values understatement (unless you're Parisian), 'se la péter' calls out anyone being too flashy or arrogant. The 'la' in the expression doesn't refer to anything specific — it's grammatically mysterious and beautifully vulgar. France has a complicated relationship with wealth display: too much showing off and you're 'un péteux.' The egalitarian spirit of the Republic demands you be rich quietly.
📝 Example Sentences
Il se la pète trop avec sa nouvelle voiture.
He's showing off way too much with his new car.
Arrête de te la péter, t'es pas une star.
Stop flexing, you're not a celebrity.