when you do something without help from someone else► on your own/by yourself if you do something on your own or by yourself , you do it without anyone helping you: · I managed to fix the car on my own.· He's old enough to get dressed by himself, isn't he?all on your own/all by yourself (=use this when it is surprising that someone has done something without anyone's help): · How did you manage to prepare so much food all by yourself?you're on your own (=use this to tell someone that you will not help them) spoken: · I can get an application for you, but after that you're on your own.
► unaided if you do something difficult unaided you do it without the help of anyone or anything: · After his illness he was unable to walk unaided.· With no one else in the office I had to deal with the problem unaided.
► single-handedly/single-handed if you do something very difficult or very impressive single-handedly or single-handed , you succeed in doing it without the help of anyone else: · In 1992, he rowed across the Atlantic single-handed.almost single-handedly/single-handed: · Sanger almost single-handedly founded the birth control movement in the early 1900s.
► solo if you do something solo, especially a sports or musical activity, you do it alone: · By the end of the course, all students will fly solo.go solo (=start doing something on your own instead of in a group): · John played with the band for five years before going solo.
► self-made someone who started without much money but has become rich and successful simply through their own efforts and work: self-made man/businesswoman/millionaire etc: · C.J. Walker became one of black America's first self-made millionaires.
► self-starter someone who is able to do things on their own without being told what to do by other people, especially in their job: · We're looking for creative self-starters with at least three years' experience.