find

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find (oneself)

1. To discover and pursue one's true and inherent character, passion, skill, or vocation. I know you're unhappy in your job, so I think you should take some time off to really find yourself. Many students leave college and realize that they still have yet to find themselves.
2. To discover, recognize, or realize one's location, thoughts, or sentiments. Lost in a deep reverie, I suddenly found myself in a neighborhood I didn't recognize. I find myself inclined to agree with the professor's assessment.
See also: find

find

(something) out the hard way Go to learn (something) the hard way.

find

(something) out (about someone or something) (from someone or something) to learn something about someone or something from someone or something. What did you find out about Terry from Mr. Franklin? I didn't find anything out about Roger from the newspaper stories. I found out what I wanted to know about solar flares from the encyclopedia. What did you find out about Bill?

find

oneself Fig. to discover what one's talents and preferences are. Bill did better in school after he found himself. John tried a number of different jobs. He finally found himself when he became a cook.
See:
References in classic literature ?
She says queer things sometimes in a bantering way that you don't notice at the time and you find yourself thinking about afterward.
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Yes, now, my immaculate angel; but when once you have secured your reward, and find yourself safe in heaven, and me howling in hell- fire, catch you lifting a finger to serve me then
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If you suit, one of these days you may find yourself in a position like what mine is.
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You will find yourself in the dock, my friend, in the prisoners' dock, I say
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Bless you, it would be a shock that the generality of parties mightn't recover, to say "Omer and Joram's compliments, and how do you find yourself this morning?
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How could you, my poor little unfledged nestling, find yourself food, and defend yourself from misfortune, and ward off the wiles of evil men?
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Before you have been long on European soil, you find yourself still SAYING you are relying on Providence, but when you come to look closer you will see that in reality you are relying on the portier.
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You lie flat down on your back, and I think you'll find yourself all right.
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Well, you get along for a bit, but soon find yourself in a long train of carts and carriages all obliged to go at a walk; perhaps you come to a regular block-up, and have to stand still for minutes together, till something clears out into a side street, or the policeman interferes; you have to be ready for any chance -- to dash forward if there be an opening, and be quick as a rat-dog to see if there be room and if there be time, lest you get your own wheels locked or smashed, or the shaft of some other vehicle run into your chest or shoulder.
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Take care, Sancho," said Samson; "honours change manners, and perhaps when you find yourself a governor you won't know the mother that bore you.
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Was it one of those nightmare things in which you find yourself engaged or married to some one you hate or don't know, without the slightest idea how it ever came about?
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It may be a little contrary to your wishes, my friend," the latter proceeded, "to find yourself so far from the throb of our great struggle, yet in these days we serve best who obey.
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You gallop through it in a mackintosh, and presently find yourself in the seat you like best,--a little above or a little below the one on which your goddess sits (it is the same thing to the metaphysical mind, and that is the reason why women are at once worshipped and looked down upon), with a satisfactory confidence that there will be no lady-callers.
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Stryver, I was about to say:--it might be painful to you to find yourself mistaken, it might be painful to Doctor Manette to have the task of being explicit with you, it might be very painful to Miss Manette to have the task of being explicit with you.
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Confess, likewise, that it is a sad circumstance in which you find yourself, of falling in with men destined to be shot or hung, and to learn that these men are old acquaintances, in fact, hereditary friends.
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