調子乗る
Meaning
Getting cocky, full of oneself, or letting success go to one's head — acting arrogant after a small win.
The full form is 調子に乗る, but dropping the particle に makes it more casual and slangy. It describes someone who gets a bit of praise, success, or attention and immediately becomes insufferably cocky. It is one of the most common complaints in Japanese social life — the culture values humility, so someone who 調子乗る is violating an important social norm. The imperative 調子乗るな is a direct 'don't get cocky.'
Examples
- ちょっと褒められたら調子乗るやつ、だるいわ。 People who get cocky from a little praise are so annoying.
- 調子乗るなよ、まだ結果出てないだろ。 Don't get cocky — you haven't even gotten results yet.
- 彼女できたくらいで調子乗ってるの見てて痛い。 It's painful to watch him get so full of himself just because he got a girlfriend.
Usage Guide
Context: friends, casual conversation, social media
Tone: warning, annoyed, contemptuous
Do Say
- 調子乗んなよ。 (Don't get cocky.)
- ちょっとモテたからって調子乗りすぎ。 (Just because you got a bit of attention doesn't mean you should get so full of yourself.)
Don't Say
- 上司や先輩に「調子乗ってますね」は反抗と取られる (Saying 'chōshi notteru' to a boss or senior is taken as insubordination)
Common Mistakes
- Missing the cultural context — Japanese culture values humility, so 調子乗る is a serious social criticism
- Not knowing the imperative form 調子乗るな / 調子乗んな (don't get cocky) which is very common
Origin & History
From 調子に乗る (chōshi ni noru, 'to ride the wave of one's condition/mood'). A long-standing expression that describes someone who gets carried away by a good mood or small success. The casual, particle-dropped form became more common in 2000s youth speech.
Cultural Context
Era: Long-standing expression, casual form from 2000s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal informal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. Reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on humility and group harmony.
Related Phrases
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