to have a word with oneself
1
8.6
- idiom
:
hablarse a uno mismo
- I need to have a word with myself about my spending habits.
Examples
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She often needs to have a word with herself when she feels overwhelmed or stressed.
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Before making important decisions, I usually have a word with myself to weigh the pros and cons.
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After making that mistake, he decided to have a word with himself about paying better attention at work.
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Sometimes, I have a word with myself to stay focused.
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After making a mistake at work, I needed to have a word with myself about how to improve.
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She often has a word with herself before making important decisions.
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Whenever he feels anxious, he takes a moment to have a word with himself and regain his focus.
Synonyms
66
3.7
To speak out loud when alone to help you think
3
5.5
To say your thoughts out loud as you form them
1
7.7
To think carefully about your own thoughts and feelings
To think carefully about what you have done and decide to act differently
To talk to yourself for a long time like a speech
How Reflective
Surface Forms
Morphology
have + a + word + with + oneself
The meaning is compositionally built from the parts: 'have' + 'a word' (a short conversation) + 'with' + 'oneself' clearly indicates having that short conversation directed at oneself. It follows the productive pattern 'have a word with someone', so a B1 learner who knows the constituents can reliably infer 'to talk to oneself/reflect'.
Etymology
Have a word with oneself comes from the simple idea of have a word with someone — a short, private talk — but done with oneself, like holding a little meeting inside your head or quietly scolding yourself. So, it means 'to talk to yourself' to think things over or to criticize your own actions.