be oneself

be oneself

To be in one's most natural, comfortable, sincere, and ingenuous state of mind and being. You should always try to be yourself with those you care about. I told her to just be herself during the interview.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be oneself

1. Act in one's usual fashion; be in one's normal physical or mental state. For example, Peter's finally recovered from the accident and is himself again, or I was completely distracted; I just wasn't myself.
2. Act without pretense; be unaffected, sincere. For example, I really enjoy their company because I can be myself with them.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

be yourˈself

act naturally: Don’t try to act sophisticated — just be yourself.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be yourself
  • about/on your person
  • at (one's) fingertips
  • at fingertips
  • at one's fingertips
  • at doorstep
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • word
  • word of honor
  • your, his, etc. word of honour
References in periodicals archive
Asking yourself: 'who am I?' and 'what concerns me?' indicates that you are starting to become aware of the fact that it is a task (a long process, maybe a lifelong process) to be oneself, and that you will both need to see your freedom, as well as the necessities of your life.
In the beginning of this article, it was said that according to Kierkegaard, it is a task to be a self and to be oneself but also, that we as human beings and as society forget existence.
For what good is a liberation movement if one cannot be oneself within it?
(25.) In a footnote, Rosenthal says, "It is not sufficient that the report be about somebody who happens to be oneself. Rather, the report must be about oneself, as such; that is, it must be a report that the being that is in the mental state is oneself." (Rosenthal 1991, p.