TO ONESELF

(1) {adv. phr.} 1. Silently; in the thoughts; without making a sign that others can see; secretly. * /Tom thought to himself that he could win./ * /Mary said to herself that Joan was prettier than Ann./ * /Bill laughed to himself when John fell down./ 2. Without telling others; in private; as a secret. - Used after "keep". * /Mary keeps her affairs to herself./ * /John knew the answer to the problem, but he kept it to himself./ (2) {adj. phr.} 1. Without company; away from others; alone; deserted. * /The boys went home and John was left to himself./ * /When Mary first moved to her new neighborhood she was very shy and kept to herself./ 2. Following one's own beliefs or wishes; not stopped by others. * /When John insisted on going, Fred left him to himself./ * /The teacher left Mary to herself to solve the problem./