have a word with oneself

verb

To consider one's attitudes or behavior with a view to reform.

“He thinks that everything revolves around him; he needs to have a word with himself.”

Similar
give one's head a wobble
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Meanings

verbhave a word with oneself (third-person singular simple present has a word with oneself, present participle having a word with oneself, simple past and past participle had a word with oneself)

present singular third person has a word with oneself · participle present having a word with oneself · participle past had a word with oneself · past had a word with oneself

  1. UKidiomaticinformalTo consider one's attitudes or behavior with a view to reform.

    He thinks that everything revolves around him; he needs to have a word with himself.

    Synonyms: give one's head a wobble

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo consider one's attitudes or behavior with a view to reform.

Similar
give one's head a wobble
Also see
check in with oneselfgive one's head a wobblegive your head a wobble
Cite this entry
APA

have a word with oneself. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20a%20word%20with%20oneself

MLA

“have a word with oneself.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20a%20word%20with%20oneself. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “have a word with oneself,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/have%20a%20word%20with%20oneself.

Source: have a word with oneself on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.