Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь
Ц34
НАБИВАТЬ/НАБИТЬ СЕБЕ ЦЕНУcollVPsubj:humanusu.presorpast) to (try to) betters.o.'s opinion ofo.s., makeo.s.look more important to others (usu.in order to achieve a certain status, obtainsth.etc)
X набивает себе цену - X is building himself up (ins.o.Ts eyes)
X is trying to enhance his own value (image)X is trying to convinces.o.of how invaluable (indispensableetc) X isX is trying to makes.o.appreciate X (more).Рассказывая новому начальнику, как неохотно ее отпускали с предыдущего места работы, она надеялась набить себе цену. By telling her new boss stories about how they hated to see her leave her old job, she hoped to build herself up in his eyes.