make yourself at home

USAGE SUMMARY

"make yourself at home" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to welcome someone into your home and to tell them to feel comfortable. For example: "Welcome to our home! Please make yourself at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Please make yourself at home.

The New Yorker

Not to make yourself at home.

The New York Times - Travel

"Do make yourself at home.

The New Yorker

Just make yourself at home.

The New York Times - Sports

Hello, recession, make yourself at home.

The New York Times

"Sit down and make yourself at home," he said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

I see you've made yourself at home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One advantage to making yourself at home in the sinister is that, however the years creep up on you, and whatever the fondness of the public's embrace, your reputation forbids you to slump into the sentimental.

The New Yorker

The no-doubt overpriced piece of knack, which can be made yourself at home using likely around $30 in parts, is selling for $500 and has already netted Elon Musk's digging venture $7.5 million.

TechCrunch

But Number Sixteen represents a different sort of British hospitality, a more discreet, cozy and make-yourself-at-home kind, with an honesty bar, tree-filled garden and roaring fireplace in the chic but comfortable drawing room.

The New York Times - Travel

£22, Clarins, debenhams.com 7. Travel candles Burning a couple of scented candles is a great way to make yourself feel at home in a previously unfamiliar hotel room.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make yourself at home", be genuine in your invitation to create a welcoming atmosphere. Ensure your actions match your words by offering amenities and showing hospitality.

Common error

Avoid assuming guests will automatically know what's acceptable. Clarify boundaries upfront (e.g., "Help yourself to drinks in the fridge, but please don't adjust the thermostat").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make yourself at home" functions as an idiomatic expression used to extend a warm welcome. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a standard phrase used to encourage guests to feel comfortable. It primarily serves as a polite directive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make yourself at home" is a very common idiomatic expression used to warmly welcome guests and encourage them to relax. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use, primarily in news and media contexts. While appropriate for most social settings, it's essential to ensure genuine hospitality accompanies the phrase. Alternative phrases like "feel at ease" or "be my guest" offer similar sentiments. The phrase conveys a neutral to informal tone, serving as a polite directive to create a comfortable atmosphere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider this place your own

Directly suggests treating the space as if it belongs to the guest, indicating freedom and comfort.

treat this as your own space

Similar to 'consider this place your own', but emphasizes the physical environment.

make yourself comfortable

A more direct instruction to seek comfort, though less idiomatic.

feel at ease

Focuses on the emotional state of comfort, similar to the overall welcoming sentiment.

settle in

Implies a temporary but comfortable adjustment to a new setting.

be my guest

Offers permission to do something, implying a welcoming and hospitable attitude.

kick back and relax

Informal encouragement to relax and be at ease.

relax and enjoy

Encourages the guest to unwind and have a pleasant experience, fitting within the context of being in a comfortable environment.

help yourself to anything

Extends an invitation to partake freely, adding a dimension of generosity to the welcoming gesture.

don't stand on ceremony

Encourages informality and ease, indicating the guest should not feel obliged to follow strict etiquette.

FAQs

How do I use "make yourself at home" in a sentence?

You can use "make yourself at home" when welcoming someone to your house, such as, "Welcome to our home! Please, "make yourself at home"".

What does "make yourself at home" really mean?

It means that you are inviting someone to feel as comfortable and relaxed in your house as they would be in their own home. It's an expression of hospitality.

What are some alternative phrases for "make yourself at home"?

Instead of saying "make yourself at home", you could say "feel at ease", "be my guest", or "make yourself comfortable" depending on the context.

Is it impolite to actually "make yourself at home" when someone says that?

While the phrase is meant to be welcoming, it's best to still be respectful of the host's property and rules. Avoid being overly intrusive or assuming too much freedom without explicit permission.