make something of (oneself)

1 of 2

idiom (1)

: to become successful

She has worked very hard to make something of herself.

make something of oneself

2 of 2

idiom (2)

: to become successful

He decided to go back to college and make something of himself.

Examples of make something of (oneself) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Idiom

The notion that people can make something of their lives regardless of their starting point has defined the nation for centuries. —Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2022

The film is about a young woman without any support who, for various diplomatic reasons, is sent abroad and has to make something of herself. —Keaton Bell, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2021

For one night, though, the Mavericks looked like a team that still has a chance to make something of this season. —Dallas News, 16 Dec. 2022

Having dropped out of high school, Ms. Minner was determined to make something of herself — and to show her sons that dropping out was not OK. —New York Times, 10 Nov. 2021

Prager’s rendering of McCorvey reveals a woman vulnerable to the seductions of media attention and desperate to make something of the limited circumstances of her life. —Marin Cogan, The New Republic, 11 Oct. 2021

Those who want to make something of themselves are at the mercy of those who are there to have fun and be disruptive. —WSJ, 11 July 2021

Working with a partner and trying to make something of yourselves as a team is a terrific idea at the moment. —Tarot Astrologers, chicagotribune.com, 31 May 2021

Many aides in this program are friends or relatives who can make something of a living caring for a loved one. —Neal St. Anthony, Star Tribune, 6 Mar. 2021