do one's (own) thing
do one's (own) thing
To do what one is interested in or skilled at, rather than simply doing what everyone else does. You don't have to go to med school just because your sister did—you need to do your own thing. Andrea is very independent and usually just does her own thing.
See also: thing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
do one's thing
Also, do one's own thing. Pursue one's interests or inclination; do what one does best or enjoys the most. For example, I really give him credit for doing his thing and not being discouraged by what the critics say , or Phyllis is busy doing her own thing, running the magazine and publishing books. Although this colloquialism became closely associated with the counterculture of the 1960s, it is actually much older. In one of his essays (1841) Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: "But do your thing and I shall know you." However, it came into wide use only during the mid-1900s.
See also: thing
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
do your own thing
INFORMALCOMMON If you do your own thing, you live, act, or behave in the way you want to, without paying attention to other people's opinions. She was allowed to do her own thing as long as she kept in touch by phone to say she was okay. I made a point of doing my own thing on the pitch and ignored my coach's instructions.
See also: own, thing
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
do your own thing
follow your own interests or inclinations regardless of others. informalSee also: own, thing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
do your own ˈthing
(informal) live, act or behave as you want, not as others tell you to do; be independent: Mark’s father wanted him to be a doctor, but Mark wanted to do his own thing and run an art gallery.See also: own, thing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
do one’s (own) thing
tv. to do what one wants; to do what pleases oneself no matter what others think. I’ve always done my thing, and I don’t see a great amount of benefit from it.
See also: own, thing
do one’s thing
verbSee do one’s own thing
See also: thing
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
do (one's) own thing
Slang To do what one does best or finds most enjoyable: "I get paid to try cases and to do my thing on trial" (Bruce Cutler).
See also: own, thing
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- do one’s own thing
- do one’s thing
- do one's thing
- do own thing
- do your own thing
- make good as
- make good as (something)
- Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.
- Those who can, do; those who can't, teach
- strike out for (something or some place)