bootstrap
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boot up
To turn on a computer. A noun or pronoun can be used between "boot" and "up" I think something is wrong with my computer—it's taking a really long time to boot up.
by (one's) (own) bootstraps
By one's own efforts to improve one's life or circumstances, rather than relying on others. After I declared bankruptcy, I had to haul myself up by my bootstraps and rebuild my financial standing.
drag (oneself) up by (one's) (own) bootstraps
To improve one's life or circumstances through one's own efforts, rather than relying on others. After I declared bankruptcy, I had to drag myself up by my bootstraps and rebuild my financial standing. Whenever I hear someone say that poor people just need to drag themselves up by their own bootstraps, I remind them that a lot of people don't have boots.
haul (oneself) up by bootstraps
To put forth effort to improve one's life or circumstances, rather than relying on others. After I declared bankruptcy, I had to haul myself up by my bootstraps and rebuild my financial standing.
pull (oneself) up by (one's) (own) bootstraps
To improve one's life or circumstances through one's own efforts, rather than relying on others. After I declared bankruptcy, I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps and rebuild my financial standing. Whenever I hear someone say that poor people just need to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, I remind them that a lot of people don't have boots.
pull (oneself) up by the bootstraps
To put forth effort to improve one's life or circumstances, rather than relying on others. After I declared bankruptcy, I had to pull myself up by the bootstraps and rebuild my financial standing. I know you're heartbroken by this breakup, but you just have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and get back out there into the dating scene.
to (one's) bootstraps
Through and through; thoroughly; in every manner or respect. The fellow is stubborn to his bootstraps; he won't even listen to my plan the whole way through! Though he grew up in America, Henry is still a Brit to his bootstraps.
See also: bootstrap
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
boot something up
to start up a computer. She booted her computer up and started writing. Please go boot up your computer so we can get started.
boot up
[of a computer] to begin operating; to start up one's computer. He turned on the computer and it booted up. Try to boot up again and see what happens.
pull oneself up by one's (own) bootstraps
Fig. to improve or become a success by one's own efforts. If Sam had a little encouragement, he could pull himself up by his bootstraps. Given a chance, I'm sure I can pull myself up by my own bootstraps.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
boot up
Start a computer, as in When you've booted up, it's best not to turn off the computer until you're done for the day . The term, dating from the late 1970s, was a shortening of bootstrap, another computer idiom referring to using one set of instructions to load another set of instructions. Also see log in.
by one's bootstraps
see under pull oneself up.
pull oneself up by the bootstraps
Succeed by one's own efforts, as in She was homeless for nearly two years, but she managed to pull herself up by the bootstraps. This expression alludes to pulling on high boots by means of the straps or loops attached to them at the top. [Early 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pull yourself up by your bootstraps
If someone pulls themselves up by their bootstraps, they improve their situation by their own efforts. Note: Bootstraps are straps attached to a boot which you use for pulling it on. It was his ability to pull himself up by his bootstraps which appealed to his boss. Note: Verbs such as haul, pick and lift are sometimes used instead of pull. Lift yourself up by the bootstraps, young fellow. Make yourself upwardly mobile.
to your bootstraps
AUSTRALIANIf someone has a particular characteristic to their bootstraps, that characteristic is very strong in them. Note: Bootstraps are straps attached to a boot which you use for pulling it on. The novel's hero is honourable to his bootstraps. Sir Robert Menzies was British to the bootstraps.
See also: bootstrap
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
pull (or drag) yourself up by your own bootstraps
improve your position by your own efforts.A bootstrap is sometimes sewn into the back of boots to help with pulling them on. This idiom has given rise to the computing term bootstrapping , meaning the process of loading a program into a computer by means of a few initial instructions which enable the introduction of the rest of the program from an input device. We now refer to the process of starting a computer as booting or booting up .
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
drag/pull yourself up by your (own) ˈbootstraps
(informal) improve your situation yourself, without help from other people: Nobody helped her get where she is today — she pulled herself up by her own bootstraps.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
boot up
v.
1. To cause some computer or similar device to start working and and prepare for operation: This program will boot up your disk drive automatically. My computer is so badly damaged that I can't even boot it up.
2. To start working and prepare for operation. Used of computers and related devices: My new computer boots up in less than 30 seconds.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
by (one's) (own) bootstraps
By one's own efforts.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pull yourself up by your bootstraps
To succeed through hard work. Before zippers made getting into tall boots less of a chore, such footwear had leather attachments by which the wearer would pull them on (Western boots and some English riding dress boots still have them). Trying to raise yourself off the ground by pulling on your bootstraps sounds impossible . . . and it is (don't try it—you'll throw out your back). Therefore to pull yourself up by your bootstraps is to achieve your goals through as much hard work as levitating yourself would take.
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price Copyright © 2011 by Steven D. Price