English · Phrasal verb Attested

owe it to oneself

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

For it to be necessary for one (to do something) in order to advance one's one interests; to deserve.

Where it’s used: Used American English

You owe it to yourself to take a break and relax.

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 “owe it to oneself” mean?

For it to be necessary for one (to do something) in order to advance one's one interests; to deserve.

Is “owe it to oneself” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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