胸(むね)を張(は)る

Structure: 胸(むね) (chest) + を + 張(は)る (to stretch, to draw taut) — the posture of pride, chest out and shoulders back.

Nuance: Pride that is earned, not arrogance. It is used for pride in work well done, for living without anything to hide, and for standing behind one's choices. Because the pride has to be justified, the phrase often appears as a test the speaker sets for themself: can I say this 胸(むね)を張(は)って?

Potential form: 胸(むね)を張(は)れる ('can hold one's head high') is at least as common as the plain form, and is the usual shape when talking about oneself:

• 胸(むね)を張(は)って言(い)える: can say it proudly
• 胸(むね)を張(は)れる仕事(しごと): work one can be proud of

Related words

• 誇(ほこ)りに思(おも)う: to feel proud of
• 自信(じしん)を持(も)つ: to have confidence
• 堂々(どうどう)と: confidently, with dignity — often used alongside it

OTHER 胸(むね) EXPRESSIONS:

• 胸(むね)が痛(いた)む: to feel heartache
• 胸(むね)を打(う)つ: to be moving, to touch the heart
• 胸(むね)が一杯(いっぱい): to be overcome with emotion