Keep Oneself to Oneself, To 🤫
Definition
Keep oneself to oneself, to: To be reserved and aloof; deliberately avoiding the company of others. This idiom is often cited as a quintessentially English behavior.
Origins 📜
The phrase has graced literature for centuries, making a prominent appearance in Samuel Richardson’s “Clarissa” (1748). It suggests that the individual prefers solitude or is naturally reticent.
Examples in Literature 📚
- Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa: “She keeps herself to herself, exhibiting a demeanor both mild and introspectively rebellious.”
- Robert Barnard’s Death and the Chaste Apprentice (1989): “He kept, in popular parlance, himself to himself. Like many policemen, Dunday thought.”
Similar Terms and Expressions 🔄
- Lone wolf: Someone who prefers being alone and independent.
- Solitary confinement: A potent metaphor, often related to someone intentionally isolating from others.
- Keep a low profile: Avoiding attention and staying out of the limelight.
- Private person: A soul who enjoys privacy over public interaction.
Synonyms 🔍
- Reserved
- Introverted
- Solitary
- Reclusive
Antonyms 🚫
- Gregarious
- Outgoing
- Sociable
- Extrovert
Quotes That Dance Alone 🎭
“Better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” — Abraham Lincoln
Proverbs & References 🌍
- “Still waters run deep.” — Suggests that those who are quiet or reserved often have profound thoughts and feelings beneath the surface.
- “Every man’s house is his castle.” — An English proverb emphasizing the power of personal space and solitude.
In Popular Culture 🎬
- Book: Walden by Henry David Thoreau – Advocacy for living in solitude and nature to foster introspection and personal growth.
- Movie: Into The Wild – Chronicles a young man’s journey into the Alaskan wilderness to find himself, often “keeping to oneself.”
- Song: “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams – A melancholic view on solitude and the pain of isolation.
- Poem: The Guest House By Rumi – Encourages being mindful of your inner guests (thoughts and feelings).
Fun Quizzes! 🎉
### Which phrase means being reserved and avoiding the company of others?
- [ ] Painting the town red
- [x] Keep oneself to oneself
- [ ] Break the ice
- [ ] Spill the beans
> **Explanation:** "Keep oneself to oneself" means to be reserved and avoid social interactions. The rest suggest more gregarious or interactive behavior.
### Which synonym matches the idiom "keep oneself to oneself"?
- [x] Reclusive
- [ ] Boisterous
- [ ] Vivacious
- [ ] Gregarious
> **Explanation:** Reclusive perfectly pairs with the idea of keeping to oneself, embodying solitude and reservation.
### True or False: The phrase "every man's house is his castle" supports the idea of keeping oneself to oneself.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, this proverb implies that people have the right to privacy and can choose to keep to themselves within their own homes.
Farewell, dear reader! May you find solace in the depth of your reflections and the tranquility of your solitude.
✨ Keep Being Intriguingly Aloof!
— E. Nigma Retreats
