on one's own

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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.

   • 2023 November 29, Paul Clifton, “West is best in the Highlands”, in RAIL, number 997, page 39:

     After Bridge of Orchy, the line climbs steeply into the wild country of Rannoch Moor. The railway builders chose a different route across the moor from the road - we are completely on our own up here.

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