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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

speak for oneself en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic, imperative) Expressing disagreement with an opinion expressed by another.
    • “I’ll tell you what it is, gentlemen,” said he, “we’re all afraid.”¶ “Speak for yourself, sir,” said Mr. Giles, who was the palest of the party. 1838, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Looks after Oliver, and Proceeds with His Adventures”, in Oliver Twist; […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, page 138:
    • That idea makes no sense at all. – Speak for yourself! I think it's a great idea.
  2. To have obvious implications; to require no explanation.
    • His actions speak for themselves.
    • This relief to Kings Cross entailed an initial "stop-gap" service of 12 trains daily in each direction, increased to 34 each way from February 1 [1875], and to 43 each way by the following October—figures which speak for themselves. 1952 October, C. A. Johns, “One Hundred Years at Kings Cross—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 653:
    • His fantastic record as a manager speaks for itself.
  3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see speak, for. To provide an opinion only on one's own behalf.
    • I'm here speaking for myself, not for my company.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
spoke for oneself Tense=Past lexicographic
speaking for oneself Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
speaks for oneself Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
spoken for oneself Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Relateds

tell its own tale · spoken for · speak for

Translations (18)

ca parla per si mateixa (to have obvious meaning) · es dilo por ti (expressing disagreement) · fr parler de soi-même (to have obvious meaning) · hu a maga/saját nevében beszél (expressing disagreement) · pl rozumieć się sam przez się (to have obvious meaning) · es habla por sí mismo (to have obvious meaning) · nl voor zich spreken (to have obvious meaning) · fr parle pour toi ! (expressing disagreement) · it parlare da solo (to have obvious meaning) · de für sich selbst sprechen (to have obvious meaning) · pl mówić sam za siebie (to have obvious meaning) · hu magáért beszél (to have obvious meaning) · ru говори́ть за себя́ (expressing disagreement) · ca parlen per si mateixes (to have obvious meaning) · fi puhua puolestaan (to have obvious meaning) · es habla por ti (expressing disagreement) · ru говори́ть за себя́ (to have obvious meaning) · fi puhu omasta puolestasi! (expressing disagreement)