bootstraps noun ▶ pull yourself up by your bootstraps; raise yourself by your own bootstraps to try harder, to improve yourself within a given area UK, 1936
[T]he compliant masses should be happy to be sacrificed so that we can pull ourselves up by our bootstraps[.] — TheGuardian, 27 March 2004
Through sacrifice, we raise ourselves above our mortal condition–by our own bootstraps, so to speak. — TheGuardian, 1 May 2004