by one's own bootstraps
Definition of by one's own bootstraps
: without help from other people : as a result of one's own hard work Despite many obstacles, she has pulled herself up by her own bootstraps.
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Word by Word Definitions
: used to express immediate or direct kinship
: to have or hold as property : possess
: to have power or mastery over
: to acknowledge to be true, valid, or as claimed : admit
: a looped strap sewed at the side or the rear top of a boot to help in pulling it on
: designed to function independently of outside direction : capable of using one internal function or process to control another
: carried out with minimum resources or advantages
: to promote or develop by initiative and effort with little or no assistance
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