Blow one’s own trumpet

To blow one’s own trumpet is to act in a boastful, self-promoting manner. Although the earliest citation for the exact phrasing is not much before the late 19th century, there is evidence to suggest the concept is much older, from at least the 16th century. The Bible contains the following reference in Matthew 6: 2 “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have the glory of men.” In America, the expression is ‘blow one’s own horn’. Other musical instruments often replace the trumpet or horn e.g. ‘beat one’s own drum’, ‘blow one’s own whistle’, ‘play one’s own fiddle’ etc.