a life of its own

a life of its own

The state of something that exists and thrives outside and beyond the control of the point of origin. An urban legend can have a life of its own, changing every time it is retold. The accusations in the political race began to take on a life of their own, growing meaner and more elaborate every day.
See also: life, of, own
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(have) a life of its ˈown

(of an object) seeming to move or function by itself without a person touching or working it: When he was painting, he said, the brush used to take on a life of its own and take him in directions he never intended to go.
See also: life, of, own
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • take on a life of its own
  • a thing of the past
  • thing of the past
  • in the abstract
  • there's no question of (something)
  • there's some/no question of something/of doing something
  • find out how the land lies
  • see how the wind is blowing
  • see which way the wind is blowing
  • spy out the land