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Glite Dictionary
to act like a tosser

to act like a tosser

9.9
To behave rudely or foolishly in a way that annoys others
  • idiom
  • Offensive
translation icon : comportarse como un gilipollas (vulgar)
  • If you act like a tosser at work, people won't take you seriously.

Examples

  • Stop acting like a tosser and listen to what I'm saying.

  • Don't act like a tosser in front of your friends!

  • He really acted like a tosser when he started shouting at everyone.

  • He always acts like a tosser during meetings.

  • If you act like a tosser at school, your classmates will lose respect for you.

  • It's embarrassing to see him acting like a tosser instead of taking the situation seriously.

  • Don't act like a tosser when you are given advice; it's meant to help you.

Synonyms

to act a fool
vsto act like a tosser
  • Informal
3 8.0

To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention

is closer to immaturity and bad judgment rather than seeking amusement
to be a buffoon
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
2 8.1

To act in a silly, embarrassing way to make people laugh

focuses more on immature poor decisions than deliberate ridiculousness
to be a tosser
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a rude, stupid way

is the same meaning but used more generally or plainly
to act like a putz
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a silly or clumsy way

carries more of a sense of immature bad judgment than simple ineptness
to be a dickwad
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Act in a rude, foolish way that annoys or upsets other people

leans more toward immature poor judgment rather than deliberate provocation
to be a berk
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To act in a foolish way

adds an idea of immature poor judgment beyond plain stupidity
to act like a dingus
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a foolish, clumsy way that makes people laugh

is more about immaturity and poor judgment than simple clumsiness
to act like a clodpole
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a foolish and clumsy way

stresses childish poor judgment and inappropriate behaviour beyond mere clumsiness
to act like a buffoon
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
6.8

Behave in a silly, clumsy way to make people laugh at you

is similar but highlights immature poor judgment rather than showy silliness
to act like a booger brain
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly and immature way

adds sense of poor judgment and inappropriate conduct beyond mere childishness
to act like a peabrain
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly, not very smart way

emphasizes immaturity and poor decision making rather than just lack of sense
to act like a doylem
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a silly, clumsy way

leans more toward immature poor judgment and inappropriate conduct
to act like a dumbo
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly or foolish way

adds an element of immaturity and bad judgment rather than only stupidity
to act like a dodo
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.3

To behave foolishly and show little common sense

is more about immature choices and inappropriate actions rather than mere cluelessness
to act like a dorkus
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish

is harsher, stressing immature poor judgment rather than gentle awkwardness
to act like a ditz
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk

implies deeper immaturity and poor decision making than mere scatterbrained acts
to act like an airhead
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
8.6

To behave in a silly way without thinking when nervous or tired

adds an edge of inappropriate immature behaviour and poor judgment
to be a dink
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude or foolish way that annoys other people

is broader, implying more clear immaturity and poor judgment rather than petulance
to be a wally
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a silly, embarrassing way

places more weight on immature poor judgment and inappropriate acts
to be a booby
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a silly or stupid way

leans more toward immature bad judgment and inappropriate behaviour
to be a clipcock
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a foolish or careless way

adds a sense of childish poor judgment rather than only incompetence
to act like a brickhead
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To ignore good advice and behave foolishly

focuses more on immature poor choices rather than mere stubbornness
to act like a barmpot
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly or wild way that makes people laugh

is more about immature bad judgment and social inappropriateness
to act like a manbaby
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a very childish way as an adult

is similar but can include wider poor judgment beyond childishness
to act like a scally
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly, rude way and break rules

is closer to childish poor judgment but not necessarily loutishness
to act like a horse's ass
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave rudely and foolishly in a way that annoys or embarrasses people

stresses immature poor judgment and inappropriate conduct rather than only rudeness
to be a skaapie
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a foolish way because you trust people too easily

emphasizes poor judgment and immaturity rather than mere naivety
to be a chutiya
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a stupid and rude way

is more focused on immaturity and inappropriate choices than simple carelessness
to act like a dipstick
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave foolishly or clumsily

is broader, highlighting social immaturity rather than only poor choices
to act like a dingleberry
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly or annoying way

focuses more on immature poor judgment than mere annoyance
to act like a fuckskull
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a very foolish and rude way

shares foolishness but is less about extreme vulgar insult and more about immaturity
to act like an asshat
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a rude and stupid way

is more about immature poor judgment and social inappropriateness than insult
to act like an arseface
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

stresses immaturity and bad judgment rather than mere obnoxiousness
to acting like an assbutt
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

leans more toward childish poor judgment and inappropriate conduct
to act like a douchecanoe
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave rudely and selfishly and annoy other people

is similar yet centers on immaturity and poor judgment rather than only irritation
to act like an assmunch
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a rude, annoying, and foolish way toward other people

focuses more on immature poor judgment and inappropriate conduct generally
to act like a total fucktwat
vsto act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a very rude and thoughtless way that upsets other people

shares offensive tone but the key stresses immaturity and poor judgment

Antonyms

wisely
112 2.3

To act with good sense and careful thought

maturely
3 3.9

In a calm, sensible way like an adult

How Immature

to act like a tosser
  • Offensive
9.9
to be silly
88 2.1

Surface Forms

act like a tosser infinitive
acted like a tosser past
acted like a tosser past participle
acting like a tosser present participle
acts like a tosser third person singular

Morphology

act + like + a + tosser

The meaning 'to behave foolishly or contemptibly' is directly derivable from combining 'act' (to behave) with 'like' (in the manner of) and 'tosser' (a contemptible person). This is a compositional, commonly attested simile construction—its colloquial/insulting register does not obscure the predictability for a B1 learner who knows all the constituents.

Etymology

Act like a tosser comes from the British insult tosser. One popular story says tosser originally named someone who 'tosses' in a rude private act, and later it became a word for a rude or stupid person. So to act like a tosser means to behave like a 'fool' or a 'jerk'.