make something of oneself

a little of something goes a long way

Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.

adorn oneself with borrowed plumes

To claim the honor of another for oneself.

apply oneself

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

be oneself

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

bear oneself

To behave and conduct oneself in a particular manner.

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.

buy a dog and bark oneself

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

cannot make it

Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.