したり顔(がお)

したりがお
noun
smug look; self-satisfied expression
appearanceemotion
1. smug look; self-satisfied expression; triumphant face
The look on someone's face when they are pleased with themselves for having been right or having pulled something off. Nearly always disapproving: the speaker finds the self-satisfaction irritating.
My little brother grinned smugly.
「だから言(い)ったでしょう」と彼女(かのじょ)はしたり顔(がお)で言(い)った。
"That's what I told you," she said with a smug look.
It's annoying to be given that self-satisfied look just because his prediction turned out right.

From the classical したり (I've done it, well done) + 顔(かお) (face), with rendaku giving がお.

Common collocations

  • したり顔(がお)で言(い)う: to say something smugly
  • したり顔(がお)をする: to put on a smug expression
  • したり顔(がお)で語(かた)る: to hold forth with an air of self-satisfaction

Similar words

  • 得意(とくい)顔(がお): proud face — pleased with oneself, but often affectionate rather than critical
  • ドヤ顔(がお): smug face — recent slang with the same meaning, casual and humorous
  • 澄(す)まし顔(がお): prim, unruffled face — composed rather than triumphant