noun
ADJECTIVE
▪ big , bloated , enormous , huge , inflated , large , massive , strong
▪
a conceited man with a very big ~
▪ fragile , weak
▪ bruised , wounded
▪
He was lucky to escape with just a bruised ~ when he fell off his bike.
▪ healthy
▪ human , male
VERB + EGO
▪ have
▪
He has a huge ~.
▪ boost , feed , flatter , inflate , massage , stroke
▪
She likes to mix with people who flatter her ~.
▪ satisfy
▪ protect
▪ bruise , crush , damage , deflate , dent , hurt , wound
EGO + NOUN
▪ boost
▪ gratification ( esp. AmE )
▪ trip
PHRASES
▪ a blow to sb's ~
▪
It was a huge blow to his ~ to find out he was so unpopular.
▪ a boost to sb's ~
▪ check your ~ (at the door) ( AmE , informal )
▪
Professionals need to check their ~s ( = be less egoistic ) and change their techniques.