Solitude often evokes a range of emotions, from peace to loneliness. This blog post explores 20 expressions related to the experience of being alone, each capturing a unique aspect of solitude. These phrases help articulate the complex feelings and scenarios associated with solitude.
1. Go off the grid
- Meaning: Escape all communications
- Example: She went off the grid for some peace.
2. Steal away
- Meaning: Leave quietly, unnoticed
- Example: He stole away to contemplate alone.
3. Fly solo
- Meaning: Act alone
- Example: She decided to fly solo on her trip.
4. Keep one’s own counsel
- Meaning: Rely on oneself for advice
- Example: He kept his own counsel after the arguments.
5. Walk alone
- Meaning: Go without companionship
- Example: She walks alone through the park daily.
6. Lay low
- Meaning: Hide out alone
- Example: After the news, he chose to lay low.
7. Hold up in
- Meaning: Stay secluded
- Example: She’s held up in her cabin to write.
8. Take the back seat
- Meaning: Stay out of the spotlight
- Example: He took the back seat during discussions.
9. March to the beat of one’s own drum
- Meaning: Do things one’s own way
- Example: He marches to the beat of his own drum.
10. Plow a lonely furrow
- Meaning: Work alone, without support
- Example: She plows a lonely furrow in her research.
11. Sink into oblivion
- Meaning: Withdraw into obscurity
- Example: He sank into oblivion after retiring.
12. Keep at arm’s length
- Meaning: Maintain distance
- Example: She keeps everyone at arm’s length.
13. Fade into the background
- Meaning: Withdraw from attention
- Example: He fades into the background at parties.
14. Retreat into one’s shell
- Meaning: Become introverted
- Example: After the critique, she retreated into her shell.
15. Go into one’s shell
- Meaning: Withdraw socially
- Example: He went into his shell after the loss.
16. Circle the wagons
- Meaning: Withdraw into defensive mode
- Example: The team circled the wagons after criticism.
17. Pull back
- Meaning: Retreat, withdraw
- Example: She pulled back to reassess her goals.
18. Fall off the map
- Meaning: Disappear from social activities
- Example: He practically fell off the map last year.
19. Bow out
- Meaning: Withdraw gracefully
- Example: She bowed out of the competition early.
20. Stand alone
- Meaning: Be independent
- Example: He stands alone in his theories.
