1.
to one-up; to assert dominance; to act superior over someone
To demonstrate or assert one's superiority over another person, often in a boastful or competitive way. Derived from the martial arts concept of taking the 'mount' position (sitting on top of a downed opponent).
I wish they'd stop trying to assert superiority based on educational background.
From the English word 'mount' (as in the dominant grappling position in martial arts like MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu). The metaphor of physically sitting on top of an opponent became slang for asserting social superiority. A relatively recent expression that became widespread through social media in the late 2010s.
Forms
- マウントを取る: the standard form
- マウント取り: one-upping (nominalized form; used as a noun)
- マウントする: shortened suru-verb form
Common collocations
- 学歴マウント: educational background one-upping
- 年収マウント: income one-upping
- 子育てマウント: parenting one-upping
- マウントを取りたがる: to constantly want to one-up
- マウントを取られる: to be one-upped (passive)
Similar words
- 自慢する: to boast, to brag — focuses on the act of bragging; マウントを取る emphasizes the competitive, hierarchical aspect of putting someone else down
- 見下す: to look down on — directly expressing contempt; マウントを取る often involves indirect or subtle shows of superiority
- 威張る: to act bossy, to put on airs — more about authoritative behavior; マウントを取る is more about social comparison
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Casual and colloquial. Very common on social media and in youth speech. Not appropriate in formal or professional settings.
Related Words
Compare:
自慢 (to boast, to brag)
Compare:
見下す (to look down on)
Compare:
威張る (to act bossy, to put on airs)