make yourself vulnerable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make yourself vulnerable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is encouraged to open up emotionally or take risks in a relationship or situation. Example: "In order to build deeper connections with others, it's important to make yourself vulnerable and share your true feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

To believe less is to make yourself vulnerable to bluffing.

The New Yorker

"So if you dig too deeply into the mistakes of the past, you make yourself vulnerable".

The New York Times

Or is it to make yourself vulnerable to someone, communicate with them, share yourself with someone?

The New York Times - Magazine

With time and trust and talk, "you make yourself vulnerable to another".

The Guardian - Opinion

It's very pleasant to make yourself vulnerable when you trust the person who's watching you".

The Guardian

To speak out is to make yourself vulnerable — at the office, in your professional network, in your Google search results.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

So you're making yourself vulnerable by showing an emotion and knowing that people may laugh at you for trying.

The New York Times

"You need to use the Internet in order to promote yourself, but in order to do this you are making yourself vulnerable to these situations".

The New York Times - Tech

To really know a deep love, you have to give yourself completely to another, he told me, which means making yourself vulnerable.

The New York Times - Magazine

For a candidate, there is always the danger of "making yourself vulnerable" by "giving participants control of chunks of the enterprise," Mr. Benkler said.

The New York Times

"You are immense, and you made yourself small; you are rich, and you made yourself poor; you are all-powerful and you made yourself vulnerable," the pope said in his homily.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "make yourself vulnerable" when you want to emphasize the act of deliberately opening up and risking emotional exposure in order to foster deeper connections or achieve a specific goal.

Common error

While vulnerability can be a strength, avoid overusing the phrase "make yourself vulnerable" in formal or professional settings where it might be perceived as weakness or unprofessionalism. Choose more suitable phrases like "be transparent" or "be open to feedback" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make yourself vulnerable" functions primarily as a directive, encouraging or suggesting an action. Ludwig indicates that it is considered grammatically correct and emphasizes the act of willingly exposing oneself to potential emotional or physical harm. It is often used in the context of personal growth and relationship building.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make yourself vulnerable" is a grammatically sound expression used to suggest opening oneself to potential harm for the sake of deeper connection or growth. Ludwig indicates that it's correct in written English. While not overly common, it appears mostly in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal tone. To avoid misinterpretations in formal settings, consider alternatives like "be transparent". Remember, strategic vulnerability can be a strength, but discernment is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open yourself up

Implies a general willingness to share thoughts and feelings; less specific than exposing a weakness.

let your guard down

Focuses on relaxing defenses and becoming less cautious in interactions.

expose yourself

Suggests a more direct and potentially risky unveiling of personal information or qualities.

be authentic

Highlights genuineness and sincerity, often requiring vulnerability.

be candid

Suggests frankness and honesty, which may involve revealing sensitive information.

show your true colors

Emphasizes revealing one's authentic self, which may include vulnerabilities.

come out of your shell

Emphasizes overcoming shyness and interacting more openly with others.

wear your heart on your sleeve

Implies openly displaying emotions, sometimes excessively.

make yourself an easy target

Focuses on the aspect of increased risk and potential for attack.

take a risk

Highlights the element of potential negative consequences or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "make yourself vulnerable" in a sentence?

You can use "make yourself vulnerable" in sentences like: "In order to build trust, you need to "make yourself vulnerable" to others" or "The artist aims to "make yourself vulnerable" through their art."

What does it mean to "make yourself vulnerable"?

To ""make yourself vulnerable"" means to consciously put yourself in a position where you are open to emotional or physical harm, criticism, or attack. It often involves sharing your true feelings, admitting weaknesses, or taking risks.

Are there situations where it's not advisable to "make yourself vulnerable"?

Yes, it's often not advisable to ""make yourself vulnerable"" in situations where you are in danger, dealing with untrustworthy individuals, or in certain professional contexts where it might be misconstrued as weakness.

What are the benefits of "making yourself vulnerable"?

Some potential benefits of "making yourself vulnerable" include building stronger relationships, fostering trust, increasing self-awareness, and promoting authenticity. However, it's crucial to do so safely and with discernment.