fend for (oneself)

fend for (oneself)

To look after or take care of oneself without assistance from anyone else. Moving to a new country for college really made me learn to fend for myself. I won't be home from work until about 9 o'clock, so you and your sister will have to fend for yourselves for dinner. You're going to have to learn to fend for yourself before you head off to college.
See also: fend
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fend for

v.
To provide for, take care of, or defend someone without assistance: We watched the bear fending for her cubs as the hunters approached. I had to fend for myself when I arrived in Europe alone.
See also: fend
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • put (oneself) on the line
  • put yourself on the line
  • kick oneself
  • kick yourself
  • put (one's) neck on the line
  • put neck on the line
  • put your neck on the line
  • wash hands of
  • wash your hands of
  • wash your hands of somebody/something