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get past oneself

C1 informal transitive
In simple words

To stop letting your own fears, pride, or selfishness block you from doing what you need to do.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic informal

To overcome one's own selfishness, pride, or personal limitations in service of a goal or others.

"To be a good leader, you have to be able to get past yourself and truly listen to your team."

2 C1 idiomatic informal

To stop allowing one's own insecurities or fears to be an obstacle.

"The hardest part of public speaking is getting past yourself and just focusing on your message."

Usage notes

Less common than 'get over oneself'. Often used in spiritual, motivational, or therapeutic contexts. Suggests a more earnest, reflective effort than the impatient tone of 'get over oneself'. Rare in everyday casual speech.

Commonly used with

ego fears pride limitations need to able to reluctance

Forms

Base
get past oneself
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gets past oneself
he/she/it
Past simple
got past oneself
yesterday
Past participle
got/gotten past oneself
have + pp
-ing form
getting past oneself
continuous

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Synonyms

transcend oneself overcome one's ego move beyond oneself set aside one's pride get out of one's own way be selfless

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