by yourselves

by yourselves

1. Alone; separate from everyone else. Can we sit here, or are you guys eating by yourselves? I'm not letting you kids go to that park by yourselves—crossing that busy street is very dangerous!
2. Independently or relying on one's own abilities. I really don't want to have to call a plumber—can you guys do this repair by yourselves?
See also: by, yourselves
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

by yourselves

 
1. with no one else present; alone (of two or more people). Are you two going to stand here by yourselves all evening? Don't sit home by yourselves. Come to the party.
2. with the help of no one else. Can you three do this by yourselves? I expect you guys to get there by yourselves.
See also: by, yourselves
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • eat for two
  • how come
  • How come?
  • eating
  • What’s eating someone?
  • elbow (one) out
  • elbow out of and elbow out
  • yourselves
  • dart in and out
  • have (someone) eating out of (one's) hand
References in periodicals archive
'Here, you are not just by yourselves, your number runs in thousands, your size is in soaring swells; summon up courage, go ahead and by best educating yourselves, go ahead and by best educating yourselves turn the world around', Vice-Chancellor impressed upon swarming multitude of students in attendance.
Thousands of new students attend Orientation Ceremony at SU
He also gets his disciples to rest from their busy ministry - "because so many people were coming and going that they did not have a chance to eat, so he said to them: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest yourselves." We would do well to heed these words.
THOUGHT for the DAY