English

Adverb

on one's own

1. (idiomatic) Alone; by oneself; without the companionship or assistance of others.

   A seven-year-old can get dressed on his own, but it might take a long time.‎

   I love cheese on toast, but I won't eat cheese on its own.‎

   • 1966, Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier-Bell (English lyrics), Dusty Springfield (vocalist), You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, 1965, Pino Donaggio, Vito Pallavicini, Io che non vivo (senza te),

     Don't you see / That now you've gone, / And I'm left here on my own, / I will have to follow you / And beg you to come home.

   • 2004 May 13, James B. Hull, Oversight Hearing on Firefighting Preparedness,

     Private operators, for the most part have done an admirable job of keeping these aging aircraft flying, but FAA has essentially said, “It’s public-use aircraft. You’re on your own.”

   • 2008, Barbara M. Newman, Philip R. Newman, Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach, page 215,

     They may adamantly reject help and insist that they can manage on their own.

Synonyms

• on one's tod
• on one's bill
• by oneself

Translations