Phrase guide

make something of oneself

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To become successful on one's own initiative.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He moved to the big smoke when he was 17 to make something of himself.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 白手起家 (báishǒuqǐjiā) — become successful on one's own initiative
  • Chinese Mandarin: 自力更生 (zìlìgēngshēng) — become successful on one's own initiative
  • Chinese Mandarin: 奮發圖強 /奋发图强 (fènfātúqiáng) — become successful on one's own initiative
  • Finnish: tehdä itsestään jotain — become successful on one's own initiative