every man for himself

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

a chaotic or uncooperative situation in which each person acts purely for personal benefit

Word picture

Each person is pictured separating from the group and taking care only of himself.

Example

“When the company's budget was cut, it became every man for himself as departments fought for funding.”

Dictionary details

Component words

man himself

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

raise hell Informal · CEFR B2

to create a loud disturbance or behave in a wildly disruptive way

save face Neutral · CEFR B2

to protect one's dignity or public reputation after embarrassment or failure

take the piss Informal · CEFR B2

to mock someone, often through teasing or sarcasm

under a cloud Neutral · CEFR B2

subject to suspicion or disgrace that damages one's reputation

cock a snook Informal · CEFR C1

to make a mocking gesture that expresses disrespect or defiance

bury the hatchet Neutral · CEFR B1

to reconcile with someone and bring a quarrel to an end

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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