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be one's own bossto work for oneself rather than for an employer; to be self-employed

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: to work for oneself rather than for an employer; to be self-employed

Pronunciation (IPA): /biː wʌnz oʊn bɔːs/

Example Sentences

  • Tom quit his 9-to-5 job to be his own boss, but now he works 24/7!
  • She always wanted to be her own boss until she realized she was a terrible employee.
  • Many entrepreneurs choose to be their own boss for the flexibility and creative freedom.

be one's own boss

NOUN

[/biː wʌnz oʊn bɔːs/]

to work for oneself rather than for an employer; to be self-employed

After years at the firm, she finally gets to be her own boss at her flower shop.
💡 Concept

After years at the firm, she finally gets to be her own boss at her flower shop.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/biː wʌnz oʊn bɔːs/
🇬🇧 UK/biː wʌnz əʊn bɒs/

🌳Etymology

Origin

The word 'boss' derives from Dutch 'baas', meaning 'master' or 'ruler'. The phrase 'be one's own boss' emerged in early 20th-century English, combining this term with reflexive construction to express autonomous self-employment and independence from external authority.

Breakdown

be (auxiliary verb) + one's own (possessive reflexive construction) + boss (from Dutch baas, meaning master or supervisor). The phrase structure emphasizes self-direction and personal authority over one's work.

🎵Rhyme

bosscrosslosstoss
boss
cross
loss
toss

🔗Collocations

dream of being one's own boss
finally be one's own boss
decide to be one's own boss
want to be one's own boss
love being one's own boss

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Tom quit his 9-to-5 job to be his own boss, but now he works 24/7!

😄 Fun example

She always wanted to be her own boss until she realized she was a terrible employee.

Many entrepreneurs choose to be their own boss for the flexibility and creative freedom.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

be self-employedwork for oneselfrun one's own businessbe independent

Antonyms

work for someonebe employedhave a boss

Related

entrepreneurfreelancerself-employmentstartupindependence

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