forget oneself

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

Active strategies may be the best response to those emotions, not to take care of oneself but to forget oneself in responding to the larger crises.

From The Guardian • Jul. 13, 2018

I mean the ability to forget oneself sufficiently so that the ball flows smoothly from the arm and hand and makes its true way to the waiting glove.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2017

"Easier to forget oneself, Sir Bale, than to forgive others, at times," replied Philip Feltram in his unparalleled mood.

From J. S. Le Fanu's Ghostly Tales, Volume 3 by Le Fanu, Joseph Sheridan

That answer is: one must live in the needs of the day—that is, forget oneself.

From Anna Karenina by Garnett, Constance

Through Jenny Lind I first became sensible of the holiness there is in art; through her I learned that one must forget oneself in the service of the Supreme.

From True Story of My Life by Howitt, Mary (Mary Botham)