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
Examples
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.