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
Still, striking out on one’s own has its perks, and Larsen and Akturk remain committed to keeping Tiny Chef cooking as long as they can.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 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
One had to stand on one's own feet.
From The Pastor's Wife by Elizabeth von Arnim
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.
