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ego

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alter ego

1. Another name or identity that one assumes. He's a clean-cut accountant during the week, but on the weekend he indulges in hedonistic pursuits as his alter ego "Jack."

2. A separate or different aspect or element of one's personality, identity, or psyche. For such a quiet woman, she has a rage and temper at times that is like some alter ego.

3. A close, inseparable friend of very similar attitudes and interests. My girlfriend and I are so similar, we are like each other's alter ego.

4. A person who acts as a substitute for or copy of another person; a doppelg?nger. Due to his increasingly failing health, the dictator's son has been running the country for the past month, essentially as his alter ego.

See also: alter, ego

ego trip

A display of superiority and self-centeredness. Are you on an ego trip? I'm not one of your lowly interns, so you can get your own coffee! The boss must have been on a real ego trip when he decided to name the building after himself.

See also: ego, trip

stroke someone's ego

Fig. to flatter and praise someone. If you have trouble with him, just take a few minutes and stroke his ego. You'll soon have him eating out of your hand.

See also: ego, stroke

an ego trip

something that you do in order to make yourself feel important Running the university Film Society is a big ego trip for her.

See also: ego, trip

ego trip

Behavior or activities undertaken mainly out of vanity or for self-gratification. For example, She's really on an ego trip, trying out for the lead. [1960s]

See also: ego, trip

ego trip

n. a public expression of one’s feelings of importance or superiority. The guy is on another ego trip. Pay no attention.

See also: ego, trip

ego tripper

n. a person who habitually goes on an ego trip. Not another ego tripper running for public office!

See also: ego, tripper