forget oneself

Idioms and Phrases

Lose one's reserve, temper, or self-restraint; do or say something out of keeping with one's position or character. For example, A teacher should never forget herself and shout at the class . Shakespeare used it in Richard II (3:2): “I had forgot myself: am I not king?” [Late 1500s]

Example Sentences

To save oneself one must first lose oneself—forget oneself, when occasion arises—for the sake of other people.

From Project Gutenberg

The true first love is only that man or woman who can cause one to forget oneself.

From Project Gutenberg

It was agreeable news, but it was nothing to make one forget oneself.

From Project Gutenberg

All these candidates forget that the surest manner to reach the White House is not to think of it—to forget oneself and to act.

From Project Gutenberg

To forget oneself in greater interests is to escape from a prison.

From Project Gutenberg