despite yourself

despite (oneself)

Despite one not wanting or intending to. I enjoyed our walk but had to sit down despite myself because my knee started bothering me.
See also: despite
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

despite yourself

used to indicate that you did not intend to do the thing mentioned.
1995 Ginu Kamani Junglee Girl Sahil chuckled, despite himself.
See also: despite
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • despite
  • despite (oneself)
  • in despite of
  • NTTAWWT
  • between the jigs and the reels
  • hill to die on
  • (one) can't do right for doing wrong
  • (one) can't win for trying
  • have an affair
  • have an affair (with someone)
References in periodicals archive
The Holiday ITV2, 9pm Guilty pleasure festive rom-com that leaves a warm glow despite yourself. Two singletons (Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz)
The episode titled Despite Yourself has been directed by Star Trek veteran Jonathan Frakes, famous for bringing to life First Officer William Riker on The Next Generation (1987-1994).
1) LUIS SUAREZ OKAY, so you saw the latest bite and couldn't quite believe that this was his third such offence and by now you will no doubt have chuckled, despite yourself, at dozens of viral videos, photoshopped images and moving gifs of the Uruguayan striker's misdemeanour on football's biggest stage.
Never mind, it is of course transfer season, and despite yourself you can't resist getting involved.
I think too many times, people get involved in necessity entrepreneurship - basically, you are an entrepreneur despite yourself. That never goes far because you are not passionate about it.
The most intense part for me is when Sinno breaks off; "you'll die, despite yourself you will".
holding your daughter's hand, thinking darkly, despite yourself,
BEGGING to be snapped up by Levi's or Gap, this is one of these great kooky songs that you love despite yourself.
Despite yourself, you really, really want to know who's going to win, don't you?
LIVERPOOL'S own Jennifer Ellison is one of a number of things to like about this surprisingly good horror comedy which sort of creeps up on the viewer - before you know it, you're rather enjoying it, despite yourself.
The compere, Gilbert Symes, told family-friendly jokes that made you laugh despite yourself (and wish he was your own uncle Gilbert) and spoke of how 'it warms your heart'.
"That said," Mackintosh-Smith continues, "as I read more, I realised that he has passages of descriptive brilliance that are just so good that he wins you over despite yourself. And he does have moments of great pathos--the time when he's standing in front of the Kaaba and he does have a spiritual high.
Full of farcical situations, mistaken identities and double entendres, Down With Love is one of those films that makes you laugh despite yourself and is a nice change of pace from the usual summer blockbusters.
And, although he is a reckless and irresponsible character, you find yourself liking him despite yourself."
But you seek out the true prose despite yourself. Everything, in all of my books came from somewhere, as much as I might try to disguise it.