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deny oneself
/dɪˈnaɪ ɒnˈsɛlf/
to refuse to indulge in something pleasurable
She decided to deny herself dessert to stay healthy.
She refused to eat dessert in order to maintain her health.
formalinformal
To refuse to allow oneself to have or do something pleasurable or desirable, often as a form of self-discipline or sacrifice.
He denied himself the luxury of a vacation to save money.
He chose not to take a vacation in order to save money.
Monks often deny themselves material comforts as part of their spiritual practice.
Monks frequently refrain from enjoying material comforts as part of their religious discipline.
This phrase is often used to describe acts of self-denial, whether for personal growth, health, or moral reasons.
Collocations
deny oneself pleasureto refuse to experience enjoymentdeny oneself comfortto avoid indulging in comforts
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Self-Discipline
This phrase is often used to describe acts of self-control, such as avoiding unhealthy foods or unnecessary expenses.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Use 'deny oneself' when emphasizing the act of self-imposed restriction, not when others are forcing the denial.
Word Origin
The phrase combines the verb 'deny' (from Old English 'dēnian') with the reflexive pronoun 'oneself,' emphasizing self-imposed restriction.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in contexts of self-discipline, sacrifice, or moral restraint. It can also appear in religious or philosophical discussions about asceticism.
Word Breakdown
deny
to refuse or reject
rootoneself
reflexive pronoun referring to the subject
rootEnglish Dictionary