{"id":4223,"date":"2022-05-31T17:45:34","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T17:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=4223"},"modified":"2022-05-31T17:45:34","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T17:45:34","slug":"suit-yourself-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/suit-yourself-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Suit Yourself \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a phrase to tell someone that you wish they would do what you want instead of what they want? You could use \"suit yourself<\/em>\" as a subtle indicator for them to comply with your request. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \"suit yourself<\/em>\" means that you can do whatever you want. However, it's a subtle phrase suggesting that the person saying it to you would prefer it if you did what they want.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you're at home and your mom asks you to come with her to the park, but you say you want to stay home and play video games, she may reply, \"suit yourself<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n

While mom might be giving you an out, she's letting you know that she's not happy with your choice. She's waiting for you to say that you'll stop playing games and go with her to the park.<\/p>\n

You can also use it in a positive connotation to tell the person that you agree with what they want to do, although this is the less common use of the expression.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cIf you want to go to the concert yourself, suit yourself. I\u2019ll just be chilling here at home with a bottle of wine, doing nothing by myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself, but I\u2019m taking the high road, and I\u2019m looking to flag down a car. I\u2019m not spending the night out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s what you want, fine, suit yourself. I\u2019ll go to church, and you can all sit here playing video games. We\u2019ll see what Santa Claus thinks of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really no problem, suit yourself. If you don\u2019t want my coffee, then go ahead and order some from Starbucks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuit yourself, pal, I gave you the opportunity to get out of here early, and you spit it back in my face like it was nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

What do you mean you want to stay out here while everyone else goes back to camp? Suit yourself, but I think that\u2019s a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

\u201cSuit yourself\u201d was a common expression in England in the 1500s. Initially, the phrase meant to \u201cplease oneself.\u201d \u201cSuit\u201d in conversation can mean convenient or agreeable. The agreeableness definition traces back to the noun \u201csuit.\u201d A suit refers to a matching set of garments that fit the wearer.<\/p>\n

So, to \u201csuit yourself\u201d is a direct way of telling someone to do an activity that pleases them. However, in its idiomatic use, \u201csuit yourself\u201d refers to the negative connotation of the expression. Telling someone to \u201csuit themselves\u201d means you don\u2019t want them to do what they want, and you would prefer it if they succumbed to doing what you want instead.<\/p>\n

The first appearance of the saying is in \u201cThe Serpent of Venice,\u201d written by Christopher Moore, where it appears as follows.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, as the tailor said to the broke and naked knight, suit yo<\/p>\n