Pull yourself up by bootstraps
Significado: Improve your situation through own efforts
The idea that anyone can succeed through hard work alone, without help. Often used critically now—originally the phrase described something impossible.
Ejemplos
- Told to pull myself up by my bootstraps. 被告知要靠自己的力量振作起来me dijeron que saliera adelante por mis propios medios自力で這い上がれと言われた자력으로 일어나라는 말을 들었다
- The bootstrap myth. 自力更生的神话el mito de salir adelante solo自力更生の神話자력갱생의 신화
- You can't just pull yourself up by your bootstraps. 你不可能仅靠自己就出人头地no puedes salir adelante solo con esfuerzo自力だけで這い上がることはできない자력만으로는 일어설 수 없다
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: politics, class debate
Tono: often critical now
✓ Correcto
- The bootstrap myth自力更生的神话el mito del esfuerzo individual自力更生の神話자력갱생의 신화
- Pull yourself up自力更生salir adelante por tus propios medios自力で立ち上がれ자력으로 일어서다
✗ Incorrecto
- Original meaning was impossible, not inspiring原本的含义是不可能的事情，而不是励志El significado original era algo imposible, no inspirador元々の意味は不可能なことであり、感動的なものではなかった원래 의미는 '불가능한 일'이지 '영감을 주는 것'이 아님
Errores comunes
- Using without knowing original meaning
Origen e historia
Originally meant something physically impossible (you can't lift yourself by your own bootstraps). Became misused to mean self-improvement through effort.
Etimología: From literal impossibility of lifting oneself by boot straps
Primera vez registrado: 19th century, meaning shifted 20th century
Contexto cultural
Era: 20th century meaning
Generation: All generations
Social background: About class mobility myth
Pop culture: American Dream critique
Regional notes: American phrase, universal usage.
Variaciones
Frases relacionadas
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