Idiom of the day – To swan about

To swan about means to walk around in a public place in a particularly ostentatious manner – hoping that everybody notices you and in particular the fabulous – and maybe expensive – clothes and hairstyle that you are sporting. It could be said that swans do not swan about, but rather glide effortlessly on silken waters. This idiom is, therefore, a bit of a slur against swans, which are naturally elegant and beautiful creatures, and do not need to try to be noticed – unlike those who must swan about.