by+itself
101end in itself — a purpose or goal one wants for itself alone and not as a way to something else For some people travelling is an end in itself and the destination is not important …
102an end in itself — if an activity or action is an end in itself, it is important to you not because it will help you to achieve something else, but because you enjoy doing it or think that it is important. Education should be an end in itself …
103in a class by itself — in a class by (itself) the best or only one of its kind. The High Desert Museum was in a class by itself. Usage notes: also used in the form in a class by yourself: Among jazz singers, she was in a class by herself …
104lend itself to something — lend itself to (something) to be good for a particular use. It was surprising how well her book lent itself to being turned into a film …
105lend itself to — (something) to be good for a particular use. It was surprising how well her book lent itself to being turned into a film …
106spread itself too thin — spread ((yourself/itself) too) thin 1. to try to do too many different things at the same time. Max has spread himself thin and needs to focus on just a couple of his best ideas. The company has expanded into many different areas and has probably …
107take it upon itself to (do something) — take it upon (yourself/itself) to (do something) to accept a responsibility without being asked to. He took it upon himself to personally thank each person who came to the memorial service. The Transit Authority has taken it upon itself to be the …
108pay for itself — if something that you have bought pays for itself, it allows you to save as much money as you paid when you bought it A more efficient machine would pay for itself within a year …
109present itself — if something such as an opportunity, idea, or problem presents itself, it suddenly happens I ll tell her when the opportunity presents itself …
110something expresses itself — if an idea or feeling expresses itself in a particular way, it is shown in that way Lucy s excitement expressed itself in singing and laughter …
