looking after oneself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking after oneself" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing self-care, personal well-being, or taking responsibility for one's own health and happiness. Example: "In today's fast-paced world, it's essential to prioritize looking after oneself." Alternative expressions include "taking care of oneself," "self-care," and "caring for oneself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Florida requires defendants to demonstrate both "significantly subaverage intellectual functioning" and impairments in "adaptive behaviour", such as communicating and looking after oneself.

The Economist

Florida's test requires defendants to demonstrate both "significantly subaverage intellectual functioning" and impairments in "adaptive behaviour" like communicating and looking after oneself.

The Economist

It's a result of personality before the politics, it's a lesson in looking after oneself rather than thinking about the people.

The Guardian

(2) Measures used in order to feel well and experience good health were also described as individually related factors, and the two subcategories of lifestyle factors and looking after oneself emerged.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Hygiene, personal and environmental, compliance with drugs and diabetic diet, and avoiding factors with negative influence on health such as injuries, were included in looking after oneself: I make sure that I get good body-building foods, maintain good body hygiene, make sure that my environment is clean and follow doctor's instructions on drug taking.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This is gluten-free feminism that requires one only to look after oneself, while regularly announcing to the world how this is working out.

The Guardian - Opinion

It teaches them how to be polite to their parents and elders, but it never shows them how to look after oneself.

Vice

Not taking responsibility to look after oneself was seen as a personality flaw and for some, a reason to look down upon those who have depression.

BMC Family Practice

Others stated that a lack of visual information (e.g. cleanliness, ability to look after oneself) would make it difficult to judge an individual's mental state.

BMC Psychiatry

Lamented, looked after, exalted".

The New Yorker

Somebody's looking after me".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "looking after oneself", ensure the context clearly indicates self-responsibility and proactive care for one's own needs, whether physical, emotional or mental.

Common error

Avoid using "looking after oneself" in contexts where it might be misinterpreted as neglecting others or prioritizing personal gain over ethical considerations. Emphasize balance and responsibility in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking after oneself" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It commonly serves as the subject or object of a sentence, expressing the concept of self-care or self-preservation. Ludwig examples show its uses in both general statements about well-being and specific contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking after oneself" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that emphasizes the importance of self-care and personal responsibility. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently used in news, science, and general contexts like Wiki articles. While relatively common, it's essential to use it appropriately to avoid misinterpretation. Remember to encourage proactivity and balance to get the most out of using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking care of yourself

Focuses on the act of providing care and attention to one's own needs.

caring for yourself

Highlights the act of showing concern and providing for one's own well-being.

prioritizing self-care

Emphasizes making self-care a top concern.

being responsible for your own well-being

Stresses accountability for maintaining one's health and happiness.

attending to your own needs

Highlights the act of addressing and fulfilling one's personal requirements.

protecting your own interests

Focuses on safeguarding one's advantages and welfare.

minding your own business

Implies focusing on one's own affairs and avoiding interference in others' matters.

being self-reliant

Emphasizes independence and the ability to depend on oneself.

taking charge of your health

Highlights proactively managing and improving one's physical well-being.

being your own advocate

Implies standing up for your needs and rights

FAQs

What does "looking after oneself" mean?

The phrase "looking after oneself" refers to taking responsibility for one's own well-being, health, and happiness. It involves proactively addressing personal needs and ensuring one's own welfare.

What are some synonyms for "looking after oneself"?

Some synonyms for "looking after oneself" include "taking care of yourself", "caring for yourself", and "prioritizing self-care".

How is "looking after oneself" different from being selfish?

"Looking after oneself" involves ensuring one's own well-being, which is essential for overall health and the ability to care for others. Selfishness, on the other hand, involves prioritizing one's own needs at the expense of others.

In what contexts is it most important to "look after oneself"?

It's always important to prioritize your well-being. Situations like dealing with stress, managing mental health, or recovering from illness highlight the need to actively "look after oneself".