Meaning of paddle one's own canoe | Babel Free

Definitions

To independently make the decisions or perform the duties, tasks, etc. which are one's own responsibility and which affect oneself.

idiomatic

Examples

“"Oh dear, life is pretty tough sometimes, isn't it?" And Nat took his head in both hands. . . . "Very tough, but it is that very struggle with obstacles which does us good. Things have been made easy for you in many ways, but no one can do everything. You must paddle your own canoe now."”

“"I am too sorry for words," said Kate. "If I had known your plan, I would have followed it. . . . I thought I had to paddle my own canoe, so I made my own plans."”

“Junior has now arrived. All the laws which formerly protected him as a “minor” are now inapplicable. No longer does his mom or dad have the responsibility of providing his board and room. They may help out once in a while just because they love him, but, legally speaking, Junior is paddling his own canoe.”

““There is no valid reason why they can’t join the initiative we have launched. It has been well received,” he said, adding, “Now they seem to want to paddle their own canoe on their own terms.””

CEFR level