fend for oneself
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To take care of oneself without help.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
After her mother passed away, she had to learn to fend for herself.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “fend for oneself” mean?
To take care of oneself without help.
Is “fend for oneself” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.