on one's own

1. By one's own efforts or resources, as in He built the entire addition on his own . [Mid-1900s]

2. 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

In a 2010 interview with the BBC, he said: "I am persuaded that we have to struggle in order to implement the last human right in our societies. And the last human right is the right to make a decision on one's own end, and the possibility to have this end without risk and without pain."

Read more on BBC

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In slower games, players can simultaneously play their opponent’s moves against a computer in a separate window, and software exists to show computer-recommended moves overlaid on one’s own games, which saves needed time in faster formats.

Read more on Slate

And as in most medical dramas, there are big questions about life and death one might find disturbing depending on one’s own life and circumstances.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After Mangal-arti, who had no formal medical or psychological training, told her she had borderline personality disorder, she said, she had begun to doubt her own instincts about even the most basic facts of her existence, doubts that reflected Hare Krishna teachings about not relying on one’s own emotions.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• able 
• at large 
• clear 
• easy 
• independent 
• loose 
• open 
• unfettered 
• unrestricted