ENGLISH
REFERENCE

find oneself

idiom
Meaning

To learn, or attempt to learn, the essence or nature of one's character and the aims or desires one pursues in life.


Examples
SIMPLE

She traveled across the country to find herself.

CONTEXTUAL

After quitting his stressful job, he spent a year abroad hoping to find himself.

COMPLEX

Disillusioned by the rigid expectations of his upbringing, he retreated into solitude to find himself and determine his true purpose in life.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    adorn oneself with borrowed plumes

    To claim the honor of another for oneself.

  2. 02

    apply oneself

    Synonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.

  3. 03

    barn find

    A valuable item recovered from poor storage, such as a suburban garage, farm shed, etc., where it had been more or less forgotten; especially a vintage automobile.

  4. 04

    be oneself

    To behave or act naturally, without regard to how this behavior is perceived by others.

  5. 05

    bear oneself

    To behave and conduct oneself in a particular manner.

  6. 06

    box oneself into a corner

    To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.

  7. 07

    buy a dog and bark oneself

    To do something that one has hired someone else to do.

  8. 08

    carry oneself

    To move, especially emphasizing the manner in which one moves.

Last updated April 17, 2026