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.
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
Simplistically speaking, it’s hard to dwell on one’s own stuff while harping on someone else’s.
From Washington Post • Nov. 23, 2022
Ultimately, what many people who jumped on for the Peloton ride found in the real world was what many others have learned during the pandemic: It's challenging to exercise on one's own.
From Salon • Jan. 30, 2022
But you and I, Mr. Vaughan--and on one's own judgment, which might be utterly, fatally wrong!
From Chippinge Borough by Weyman, Stanley J.
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.
