trip myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trip myself" is not technically incorrect, but it is not a commonly used phrase and it does not have a well-defined meaning.
You could use it to describe a situation where you caused your own difficulties or created a problem for yourself, such as, "I tripped myself up when I forgot to turn in my assignment on time."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I decided to fund the trip myself.

The New Yorker

I'll trip myself up if I try to control things or pretend that I know more than I really do.

The New Yorker

So I find it easier just to be myself, because then I don't trip myself up".

The Guardian - Sport

"But I was stupid: I used to trip myself up on it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As Deb mentioned yesterday, I've just returned from a trip myself, having made a long-dreamed-of visit to Easter Island.

The New York Times

A. It started around November, and I was nervous that I would trip myself up, that I wouldn't be funny.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In fact, I often have to guilt-trip myself into sitting down to write.

The Guardian

(I can vouch for a few cancelled trips myself).

The Economist

So it's almost about tripping myself up on purpose.You began your acting career in film, but have played mainly theatre roles since then.

The Economist

I'm actually doing one of the Emilia-Romagna trips myself, and I'm super excited because it concludes with a visit to Al Meni, an annual gastronomic all-star event with local luminaries such as Massimo Bottura that is one of the world's great gastronomic festivals.

Forbes

I guilt-tripped myself into suiting up to meet Barney Stinson's standards, while also admiring his seamless stabs at the female kind through his smoothly self-advertised blog.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trip myself up", ensure the context clearly indicates self-sabotage or creating obstacles for oneself. It's often more effective with the addition of 'up'.

Common error

Avoid using "trip myself" literally to describe physically tripping. The phrase is primarily used idiomatically to mean causing oneself problems or difficulties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trip myself", often used as "trip myself up", functions as an idiomatic expression to describe the act of unintentionally causing difficulties or setbacks for oneself. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's most effective in contexts of self-sabotage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "trip myself" is more commonly used as "trip myself up", functioning as an idiomatic expression for self-sabotage. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes unintentionally creating difficulties for oneself, primarily observed in news and media contexts. Although "trip myself" is not incorrect, ensure the context is clear, favoring "trip myself up" for idiomatic clarity. Using alternatives like "sabotage myself" or "hinder myself" can provide more specific nuances. Overall, while not frequent, it remains a valid expression when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sabotage myself

This alternative refers to the act of intentionally undermining one's own efforts or success, indicating a self-destructive behavior.

hinder myself

This focuses on obstructing or delaying one's own progress, suggesting a self-imposed limitation.

obstruct myself

Similar to hinder, but implies a more direct and forceful blocking of one's own path.

undermine myself

This suggests weakening or destabilizing one's own position or efforts, often unintentionally.

make my own journey

This emphasizes undertaking a personal exploration or experience independently.

travel on my own

Focuses on the act of traveling without companions, highlighting independence and self-reliance.

bankroll my trip

This implies financing a trip using one's own funds, highlighting financial independence in travel.

finance my own trip

Similar to 'bankroll my trip', but emphasizes the action of providing the necessary funds.

fund my own journey

Emphasizes providing financial support for a personal journey or exploration.

cause my own downfall

Indicates actions leading to personal failure or ruin, suggesting a significant negative outcome.

FAQs

What does "trip myself up" mean?

To "trip myself up" means to create problems or obstacles for yourself, often unintentionally. It's an idiomatic expression for self-sabotage.

Is it correct to say "trip myself" instead of "trip myself up"?

While "trip myself" can be used, it's less common and idiomatic than "trip myself up". The addition of "up" often clarifies the meaning, especially when referring to self-sabotage.

What are some alternatives to "trip myself up"?

Alternatives include "sabotage myself", "hinder myself", or "undermine myself", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "trip myself up" in a sentence?

You could say, "I knew I'd trip myself up if I tried to do too much at once" or "He tripped himself up by procrastinating until the last minute."