shift for oneself
shift for oneself — phrasal verb
- shift for oneselfbase form
- shifts for oneself3rd person singular
- shifting for oneself-ing form
- shifted for oneselfpast simple
1. to manage on your own, without relying on anyone else to provide for you or solv
to manage on your own, without relying on anyone else to provide for you or solve your problems
After leaving home at seventeen, Ilan had to shift for himself in a new city.
shift for + reflexive pronoun matching subject
The new interns at the clinic had to shift for themselves when their supervisor fell ill.
When the power went out for three days, Samir and his neighbours shifted for themselves.
Noor learned to shift for herself after her parents moved back to Amman.
When Aunt Rosa fell ill, the three cousins had to shift for themselves all summer.
- fend for oneself
more common in everyday speech; same meaning and register
- make do
less formal; emphasises managing with limited resources
- get by
informal; suggests barely managing rather than thriving
- be dependent
stronger; implies ongoing reliance rather than a temporary situation
文法句型
shift for + reflexive pronoun
用法筆記
Similar to 'fend for oneself' but somewhat less common in everyday spoken English. The reflexive pronoun must match the subject in person and number.