on one's own
Idioms-
By one's own efforts or resources, as in He built the entire addition on his own . [Mid-1900s]
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Responsible for oneself, independent of outside help or control, as in Dave moved out last fall; he's on his own now . [Mid-1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Time on one’s own can also be healthy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
Investing does seem to be an area where there are lessons that usually cannot be taught, only painfully learned on one’s own.
From Barron's ● Dec. 31, 2025
Following a grievous injury or some other catastrophe, they were left brain dead—which is defined as lacking any brain function, including the ability to breathe on one’s own.
From Science Magazine ● May 11, 2023
Indeed, Kansara plays Ria with spunk and a youthful vigor that makes it hard not to reminisce on one's own adolescent years.
From Salon ● Apr. 29, 2023
It is never permissible to wait until driven into action by superior commands, but one must always endeavour to reap, on one's own initiative, the utmost possibilities the situation holds out.
From Cavalry in Future Wars by Charles Sydney Goldman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
