IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishlook out for number one
Meaning: To put one's own interests first.
Example: “In that office everyone looks out for number one.”
Origin: "Number one" for oneself is recorded from the 18th century, and the phrase became common in 20th-century American English.
Equivalents in other languages
Estonian: Iga kana kraabib enda poole Literally: Every hen scratches toward itself
Spanish: arrimar el ascua a su sardina Literally: To draw the hot coal toward one's sardine
Italian: tirare l'acqua al proprio mulino Literally: To pull the water to one's own mill
More English idioms
- lose one's marbles To go crazy.
- the heart of the matter The most important part of an issue.
- play cat and mouse To toy with someone one has power over.
- blow me down An exclamation of complete surprise.
- be in for a rude awakening To be about to discover an unpleasant truth.
- carry coals to Newcastle To do something completely unnecessary.
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