initiative
on (one's) own initiative
Without requiring or having been given instruction, prompting, or guidance from others; by one's own effort or energy. Few things impress employers more than implementing business solutions on your own initiative. I just think Jennifer needs to do things on her own initiative more, instead of waiting to see what her boyfriend wants to do all the time.
See also: initiative, on, own
take the initiative
To instigate some action, task, or plan; to be the first to act or do something. If you notice that something isn't working, please take the initiative to fix it. The boss was impressed with how Mary took the initiative with the project.
See also: initiative, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
take the initiative (to do something)
to activate oneself to do something even if one has not been asked to do it. The door hinges squeak because no one will take the initiative to oil them. Sometimes, in order to get things done, you have to take the initiative.
See also: initiative, take
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
on one's own account
Also, on one's own hook or initiative . For oneself; also, by one's own efforts, as in I've gone into business on my own account, or He called the police on his own hook, or She went job-hunting on her own initiative. The first term, first recorded in 1801, transfers the financial sense of account to one's own interest or risk. The hook variant, a colloquialism, was first recorded in 1812 and the precise analogy is unclear. The second variant, using initiative in the sense of "enterprise," was first recorded in 1858.
See also: account, on, own
take the initiative
Begin a task or plan of action, as in The boss was on vacation when they ran out of materials, so Julie took the initiative and ordered more . This term uses initiative in the sense of "the power to originate something," a usage dating from the late 1700s.
See also: initiative, take
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
(do something) on your own iˈnitiative
do something which is your own idea, not a suggestion or an order from another person: Did you ask him to organize a meeting, or was it on his own initiative?See also: initiative, on, own
take the iˈnitiative
lead people by being the first to act in a situation: France took the initiative in the peace talks. California took the initiative in banning smoking in public places.See also: initiative, take
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
initiative
n. cocaine. (see also incentive.) Maybe I need some more of that initiative to get me going.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
on (one's) own initiative
Without prompting or direction from others; on one's own.
See also: initiative, on, own
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- on (one's) own account
- on (one's) own hook
- on (one's) own initiative
- on one’s own hook
- on own account
- on own hook
- on own initiative
- on your own account
- on your own hook
- on your own initiative