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to trouble oneself

to trouble oneself

8 5.6
To make an extra effort to do something when it is not necessary
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈtrʌbəl wʌnˈsɛlf/
translation icon : molestarse
  • But Miss Cipher, you shouldn't trouble yourself with these matters.

Examples

  • Ian had not denied the accusation; neither had he troubled himself to explain or apologize.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I try not to trouble myself with such deep thoughts.

  • Please, my lord, do not trouble yourself so.

  • Why should you trouble yourself?

  • Why should I trouble myself about human justice?

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I told her not to trouble herself.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Trouble yourself no further, sir.

  • No, no, don't trouble yourself.

  • Don't trouble yourself for us

  • There's no need to trouble oneself with my problems; I can handle them on my own.

Synonyms

to bother
vsto trouble oneself
2.4

To make the effort to do something that is not necessary

is similar but stresses taking that effort for someone or something
to trouble
vsto trouble oneself
38 3.5

To make the effort to do something, often when inconvenient

is the same idea but emphasizes a personal voluntary action
to push oneself harder
vsto trouble oneself
4 3.5

Try much harder to work or train

means instead choosing to act though often without extra intensity
to go through all that trouble
vsto trouble oneself
3 6.0

To do a lot of extra work or face problems for a small thing

implies effort too but usually less extreme or less difficult
to inconvenience oneself
vsto trouble oneself
7.1

To do something that causes you trouble to help someone

focuses more on choosing to act even when not strictly required

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

How Troublesome

to exert
33 4.1
to go out of one's way
  • Informal
53 3.5
to trouble oneself
8 5.6
to bother
2.4

Surface Forms

trouble oneself infinitive
troubled oneself past participle
troubling oneself present participle
troubles oneself third person singular

Morphology

trouble + oneself

The meaning 'to make an effort' or 'to bother oneself' is directly and compositionally derived from 'trouble' (to bother/take effort) combined with the reflexive 'oneself' (acting on oneself). This verb + reflexive pattern is a common, cross-linguistic construction and the nuance (e.g. polite negative 'don't trouble yourself') is predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand it.

Etymology

Trouble oneself comes from the picture of someone who makes life harder for their own comfort: to trouble is to cause a bother and oneself shows you do it to your own time or ease. So the phrase means 'to take the trouble' or 'make an effort' to do something.