under (one's) own steam

under (one's) own steam

On one's own; with no assistance from anyone else. The injured player was fortunately able to walk off the field under his own steam. Look, Mom, I can finish this book report under my own steam, OK? I don't need you hovering over me correcting my spelling!See also: own, steam

under one's own steam

Fig. by one's own power or effort. I missed my ride to class, so I had to get there under my own steam. John will need some help with this project. He can't do it under his own steam.See also: own, steam

under one's own steam

Independently, without help, as in For two years I published the quarterly newsletter under my own steam. This expression uses steam in the sense of "driving power," as in a steam engine. [Early 1900s] See also: own, steam

under your own steam

1. If you go somewhere under your own steam, you make your own arrangements for the journey, rather than letting someone else organize it for you or take you. Note: The following expressions refer to the use of steam to provide power for a machine, especially a steam engine. You can go on an organised bus tour of the region or you can take off into the hills under your own steam.2. If you do something under your own steam, you do it on your own and without help from anyone else. Note: The following expressions refer to the use of steam to provide power for a machine, especially a steam engine. He left the group convinced he could do better under his own steam.See also: own, steam

under your own steam

without assistance from others. 1996 Colin Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice & Men She was starting to move under her own steam, hesitant Bambi steps which weren't helped by being hurried along, but a good sign nevertheless. See also: own, steam

(get/go somewhere) under your own ˈsteam

(British English, informal) (get/go somewhere) without help from others: Don’t worry about arranging transport for us. We can get there under our own steam.See also: own, steam