pull oneself up by one's bootstraps
Meaning: To improve oneself (usually economically) without help from others.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Daily Life
More idioms — Daily Life
- pull rank — To take advantage of one's superior position (one's rank).
- pull something off — To accomplish something that had appeared difficult to finish or achieve.
- pull strings — To use one's influence.
- pull the wool over someone's eyes — To deceive or fool someone.
- pull up stakes — To collect one's household belongings and leave one's house or property; to move to anoth…
- put all one's eggs in one basket — To invest all one's hopes or plans in only one possible outcome.
More English idioms
- pull the rug out from under someone — To abruptly ruin someone's plans or expectations.
- put someone on the spot — To put someone in a difficult situation or to present someone with a difficult choice; to…
- put the squeeze on — To apply pressure on someone to do something; to force or coerce someone.
- raise cain — To cause a disturbance, often because one is extremely angry; to make trouble.
- rake someone raked over the coals — To reprimand or criticize someone harshly.
- rank and file — The non-management workers in a company or the non-leadership members of a political part…
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