above

Related to above: Above and Beyond

above (oneself)

1. Conceited and arrogant; haughty or self-important. Usually used after the verbs "be" or "get." Primarily heard in UK. Self-confidence is essential, but you have to learn not to get above yourself when things are going well. You're certainly acting above yourself these days. The rest of us have opinions worth hearing, too, you know!
2. Above one's own concerns, desires, motivations, or agenda. Usually used after the verb "put." She's a great leader, always putting the needs of her team above herself.
3. Into a higher social class or standing than one's own. Usually used after the verb "marry." A: "I hear that the local fishmonger's daughter is betrothed to a rich foreign lawyer!" B: "My word, she's certainly marrying above herself, isn't she?" For all the talk that social classes have been wiped away in recent years, you will still find people who believe one can't or shouldn't marry above oneself.
See also: above
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

above (doing) something

[of someone] too mature or honorable to do something. I thought you were above doing something so thoughtless.

above someone or something

to be in a position that is higher than someone or something. The plane is now directly above us.

above someone

at a higher rank than someone else; serving as someone's supervisor. Ron is above Ginney, but he treats her like an equal.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

above

/beyond reproach
So good as to preclude any possibility of criticism.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See:
  • a cut above
  • a cut above average
  • a cut above somebody/something
  • a cut above the rest
  • a notch above
  • above
  • above (one's) bend
  • above (one's) head
  • above (one's) huckleberry
  • above (one's) pay grade
  • above (one's) paycheck
  • above (oneself)
  • above (someone's) head
  • above all
  • above all (else)
  • above and beyond
  • above and beyond something
  • above and beyond the call of duty
  • above average
  • above bend
  • above board
  • above par
  • above reproach
  • above suspicion
  • above the curve
  • above the fray
  • above the law
  • above the salt
  • above water
  • above your head
  • above yourself
  • above/over somebody's head
  • all of the above
  • as above, so below
  • be a cut above
  • be a huckleberry above (one's) persimmon
  • be a huckleberry above a persimmon
  • be above (oneself)
  • be above board
  • be above par
  • be above suspicion
  • be above/beyond suspicion
  • be beyond suspicion
  • be not above (doing something)
  • be up to par
  • be up to/above par
  • be/get above yourself
  • below the salt
  • Caesar's wife must be above suspicion
  • cut above
  • get (one's) head above water
  • get above
  • get above (oneself)
  • get above yourself
  • get head above water and have head above water
  • go above
  • go above (someone or something)
  • go above and beyond
  • go above and beyond (one's) duty
  • go above and beyond duty
  • go above and beyond the call of duty
  • have (one's) head above water
  • head above water, keep one's
  • head and shoulders above
  • head and shoulders above (someone or something)
  • head and shoulders above somebody/something
  • head and shoulders above someone/something
  • head and shoulders above, to be
  • heavens above
  • hit above (one's) weight
  • honest and aboveboard
  • huckleberry above (one's) persimmon
  • huckleberry above a persimmon
  • keep (one's) head above water
  • keep head above water
  • keep one's head
  • keep one's head above water, to
  • keep your head above water
  • live above
  • live above (someone or something)
  • marry above (one's) station
  • marry above (oneself)
  • marry above oneself
  • none of the above
  • not be above
  • not be above doing something
  • notch above
  • over (someone's) head
  • over and above
  • over and above (something)
  • place (someone or something) above (someone or something)
  • place above
  • prize (someone or something) above (someone or something else)
  • prize above
  • punch above (one's) weight
  • punch above (something)
  • punch above your weight
  • punch above/below your weight
  • put (one's) head above the parapet
  • put (someone or something) above (someone or something)
  • put above
  • put your head above the parapet
  • rank above
  • rank above (someone or something)
  • rate above
  • rate above (someone or something)
  • rise above
  • set (someone or something) above (someone or something)
  • set above
  • stand head and shoulders above
  • stand head and shoulders above (someone or something)
  • stay head and shoulders above (someone or something)
  • stick (one's) head above the parapet
  • tower above
  • tower above (someone or something)
  • tower head and shoulders above
  • tower head and shoulders above (someone or something)
  • value (someone or something) above (someone or something else)
  • value above
References in classic literature
However, there was nothing else to consider than an attempt to scale the trees contiguous to the cliff in an effort to reach the caves above.
The Gods of Mars
For an instant the spreading noose hung above her head like a great snake, and then, as she looked upward to detect the origin of the swishing sound of the rope, it settled about her neck.
Tarzan of the Apes
All that night we raced through the Barsoomian void, passing over low hills and dead sea bottoms; above long-deserted cities and populous centers of red Martian habitation upon the ribbon-like lines of cultivated land which border the globe-encircling waterways, which Earth men call the canals of Mars.
Warlord of Mars
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted--nevermore!
Raven
Above him, through the aperture, Werper could see sunlight glancing from massive columns, which were twined about by clinging vines.
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
The solitary rider sat between the wings above a transverse explosive engine, an explosive engine that differed in no essential particular from those in use in the light motor bicycles of the period.
The War in the Air
Study above, pages 77-81, and read in Le Morte Darthur as much as time permits.
A History of English Literature
"The lions have sprung," cried Tarzan, "and now they roar above the bodies of their kills."
Jungle Tales of Tarzan
Levin looked about him to right and to left, and there, just facing him against the dusky blue sky above the confused mass of tender shoots of the aspens, he saw the flying bird.
Anna Karenina
But it must be observed, that this island cannot move beyond the extent of the dominions below, nor can it rise above the height of four miles.
Gullivers Travels
The vessels carrying our green warriors were kept circling above the contending fleets of Helium and Zodanga, since their batteries were useless in the hands of the Tharks who, having no navy, have no skill in naval gunnery.
Princess of Mars
And moreover, how about three oyster beds, one above another, and thick strata of good honest earth between?
The Innocents Abroad
Its entire population had assembled in crowds, and were yelling with anger and fear, at the same time vainly directing their arrows against this monster of the air that swept along so majestically away above all their powerless fury.
Five Weeks in a Balloon
The women were preparing the evening meal as Tarzan of the Apes poised above them in the branches of a giant tree which overhung the palisade at one point.
The Beasts of Tarzan
It was as though they were passing along a beaten highway in the center of a civilized community; and yet she knew that the men who lolled upon the verandahs, puffing indolently upon their cigarettes or chewing betel nut, were all head hunters, and that along the verandah rafters above them hung the grisly trophies of their prowess.
The Monster Men