every man for himself

1. Each individual puts his or her own interests foremost. For example, In this company no one helps anyone—it's every man for himself. In Chaucer's day this dictum was stated approvingly, meaning “if you don't look out for yourself, no one else will,” but today such selfishness is usually censured. Despite the wording, the term applies to either sex.

Example Sentences

"When we go home it is every man for himself," Tom added.

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But the pro-cabana mob say seeking protection from Australia's vicious sun isn't a crime - and it's every man for himself.

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Viewed in that light, Biden’s actions simply underscore the fact we must all confront: Democracy is toast and we might be down to “every man for himself.”

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Hogan leaned over the rope while pushing Flair and Sid walked over and toppled Hogan over, saying “It’s every man for himself, big boy.”

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“We’ve got to scatter, and then it’s every man for himself. Only one of us needs to survive, remember?”

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