タメを張はる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

act like equals; put on airs of equality

Colloquial phrase used when someone behaves as if they are on equal footing with another person, often with a nuance of showing off or asserting equality in a presumptuous way. タメ comes from ため (equal, same rank).

See also: ため

• 後こう輩はいのくせにタメを張はって話はなす。

  He talks to me as if we were equals, even though he's my junior.

• あの新しん人じんはすぐに上じょう司しにタメを張はろうとする。

  That new employee immediately tries to act like he's on the same level as the boss.