by one's own bootstraps

idiom

: without help from other people : as a result of one's own hard work
Despite many obstacles, she has pulled herself up by her own bootstraps.

Dictionary Entries Near by one's own bootstraps

Cite this Entry

“By one's own bootstraps.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20one%27s%20own%20bootstraps. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on by one's own bootstraps

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!