Translation guide
To become overconfident, arrogant, or too bold, often after success or when feeling safe.
Describing someone who starts acting superior or too self-assured, often after a success.
Literally 'to ride the momentum'. Very common for getting carried away or cocky, often with a negative nuance.
Literally 'to become a tengu' (a mythical creature with a long nose, symbolizing arrogance). Used when someone becomes conceited, often due to praise or success.
To get a big head, to become self-satisfied. Often used when someone gets too comfortable or overconfident.
ちょっと勝ったからっていい気になるなよ。
Don't get cocky just because you won a little.
Similar to 調子に乗る but slightly more literary or old-fashioned. Means to take advantage of someone's kindness and become presumptuous.
When someone becomes overly forward, cheeky, or takes liberties, often in a social situation.
Both mean getting cocky, but 調子に乗る is broader and can refer to getting carried away in the moment, while 天狗になる specifically implies conceit and arrogance from success or praise. 調子に乗る is more common in daily speech.
There is no direct verb 'to get cocky' in Japanese. Use the phrases above depending on the nuance. Avoid literal translations like 'コッキーになる'.
ちょっと褒められたらすぐ調子に乗るんだから。
He gets cocky as soon as he's praised a little.
調子に乗って失敗した。
I got cocky and messed up.
彼は成功して天狗になっている。
He's gotten cocky after his success.
He got cocky because of our kindness and escalated his demands.
To become impudent or take advantage of someone's leniency. Often used when someone gets too bold after being treated kindly.
優しくするとすぐつけ上がる。
If you're nice to him, he gets cocky right away.
To become cheeky or impertinent. Often used for younger people or subordinates acting above their station.
最近の若いやつはすぐ生意気になる。
Young people these days get cocky so quickly.
To become arrogant or grow presumptuous. More formal and often used in written contexts.
成功が彼を増長させた。
Success made him cocky.