All 5 Uses of
swagger
in
The Grapes of Wrath
- Cockily, he walked close before he recognized Tom; and when he did, his boasting face changed, and admiration and veneration shone in his eyes, and his swagger fell away.†
Chpt 8swagger = walk and behave in a highly confident manner
- And now Al, moving humbly near, saw that his brother was not a swaggerer as he had supposed.†
Chpt 8 *swaggerer = someone who walks and behaves in a highly confident manner
- And Al swaggered a little because he was sorry.†
Chpt 18swaggered = walked or behaved in a highly confident manner
- Talking in the camps, and the deputies, fat-assed men with guns slung on fat hips, swaggering through the camps: Give 'em somepin to think about.†
Chpt 19swaggering = walking and behaving in a highly confident manner
- Every little means, every violence, every raid on a Hooverville, every deputy swaggering through a ragged camp put off the day a little and cemented the inevitability of the day.†
Chpt 19
Definition:
walk or behave in a highly confident or proud manner -- often arrogant and sometimes to impress or intimidate others
Swagger is often used to imply that someone moves or behaves as though they are so strong and capable as to be above physical fear. Such people are often portrayed on television as gang members or cowboys.