call one's own

(something) to call (one's) own

Said of something that one can claim ownership of or see as within one's control. This morning has been so crazy that I haven't had five minutes to call my own! I've been dreaming of the day I have a car to call my own.
See also: call, own
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

call one's own

Claim or regard something as one's possession or under one's control, as in Victorian wives had almost nothing to call their own. This expression, dating from about 1600, today is often used in a negative context, as in the example. It also appears in can't call one's time one's own, which dates from the 18th century and means one spends much of one's time in someone else's service, as in The hours in this job are terrible; I can't call my time my own.
See also: call, own
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • be remembered as (something)
  • be remembered as/for something
  • be replaced by (someone or something)
  • be replaced with (someone or something)
  • at the end of (one's) fingertips
  • at your fingertips
  • at (one's) fingertips
  • at fingertips
  • at one's fingertips
  • at (one's) doorstep
References in periodicals archive
With the children's summer vacation under way and long desirous of an animal to call one's own, in a house full of cats, one decided to purchase a dog.
On morality
'Aspire Corporate Plaza offers what other office developments in the Bay Area do not-a prime office space in a burgeoning location to call one's own,' Wong said.
New investment opportunity in the Bay Area
The right to a nationality is a fundamental human right, and the lack of a country to call one's own would certainly make one feel incomplete.
Is Grace Poe a Martian?
Having a home to call one's own allows many other pieces of a secure and stable lifestyle to come together.”
Riders Raised Awareness and Support for Affordable Housing at South Shore Habitat for Humanity's 8th Annual "Ride for Habitat"
A common concern among all physicians is a lack of personal privacy and a place to keep personal items such as diplomas, family pictures, books--essentially, a space to call one's own. Clinic design is responding with designated phone rooms, quiet rooms, and physicians' lounges, as the overall workspace continues to evolve toward open, flexible plans.
A new look at physicians' workspaces
"Choosing a Bible: For Worship, Teaching, Study, and Prayer" is an analysis of the countless Bible translations that exist throughout today's world which can be quite overwhelming when seeking a Bible to call one's own. Analyzing the difference between the translations and how they approach the task differently, and their qualities for the many applications of the Holy Bible and using it in daily life, "Choosing a Bible" is a useful resource for any Christian.
The Christian studies shelf
Being Italian-American means being hybrid, and with that comes an insatiable and unnerving longing for a home to call one's own. Don't ever confuse a Sicilian with a Neapolitan, and I don't mean pizza and ice cream.
An elephant in the house named Italy
Nevertheless, despite the challenges of poverty and disease as well as having nothing to do and not much to tend or call one's own, Yang and her grandmother were happy at Ban Vinai.
Yang, Kao Kalia (2008). The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir
Ynys Badrig, also known as Middle Mouse, is not just a rocky crag one might call one's own. It is the very islet said to have been the landing place of the missionary, St Patrick.
PROPERTY: Coastal farm with its own private island
He believes that matrimony was created to produce children one can call one's own.
James Whitaker's column: Amina must not be allowed to die
For most people, these aspirations mean enjoying the blessings of good health, or having a home to call one's own, or raising a family, holding a stake in the community, feeling secure - secure at home or in our neighborhood.
Bush proclaims domestic goals to 750 association executives