idiom
pull oneself up by the bootstraps
PUL wun-SELF UP by the BOOT-straps
pʊl wʌnˈsɛlf ʌp baɪ ðə ˈbuːtstræpsListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
pulloneselfupbythebootstraps
Dictionary meaning
achieve success through one's own efforts without any outside help; improve one's situation through hard work and determination alone
People also look up
Break the ice
Brayk the ice
Hit the nail on the head
Hit the nayl on the hed
Under the weather
UN-der the WETH-er
Piece of cake
Peess of kayk
Learn one new pronunciation a day
Get a word, name or idiom like “pull oneself up by the bootstraps” in your inbox — daily or weekly, free. Unsubscribe any time.
Something wrong? Suggest a correction