Meanings
present singular third person puts one's own oxygen mask on first · participle present putting one's own oxygen mask on first · alternative put one's oxygen mask on first · alternative put on one's oxygen mask first · alternative put on one's own oxygen mask first
- idiomaticself-helpTo practice self-care and focus on one's own needs to avoid burnout when caring for others.
But experts say I'm not alone, although putting your oxygen mask on first can be beneficial in parenting.
2024 March 20, Melissa Willets, “Gisele Bündchen Says She Puts Her Oxygen Mask on First—Here’s How That Can Help You Be a Better Parent”, in Parents, archived from the original on 03 Apr 20243 more examples
“When I first said, ‘OK, how do I give back?’ my integrated therapy doctor told me to put my own oxygen mask on first, so to speak.”
2016 August 11, Amy Laskowski, quoting Caroline Moore-Kochlacs, “Wearing 100 Hats over 100 Days”, in BU Today, archived from the original on 27 Mar 2025F.A.D. genuinely wants to save the world and all the talented but anxious girls in her life. But she has to put her own oxygen mask on first.
2019 November 14, Emmalea Russo, “Feeling Real in the Age of Un-Realness: On Fiona Alison Duncan’s “Exquisite Mariposa””, in LA Review of Books, archived from the original on 08 Aug 2020"Quinn’s decision to return to New York is two-fold," Blair notes. "First, to save her dance hall and repay her debt to Austin Water & Power. But just as important is her desire to put herself first for the first time. She’s always trying to save others. It really was time for Quinn to save herself this season. To put her own oxygen mask on first."
2025 April 18, Mauren Lee Lenker, quoting Grace Blair, “Minka Kelly addresses Quinn's big decision on Ransom Canyon”, in Entertainment Weekly, archived from the original on 22 Apr 2025
Origin
From the standard pre-flight safety demonstration instruction "Put on your own oxygen mask before helping children/others". In an aircraft depressurisation, attempting to help a child before ensuring one's own oxygen supply can endanger both the parent and, by extension, the child.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
put one's own oxygen mask on first. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/put%20one's%20own%20oxygen%20mask%20on%20first
“put one's own oxygen mask on first.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/put%20one's%20own%20oxygen%20mask%20on%20first. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “put one's own oxygen mask on first,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/put%20one's%20own%20oxygen%20mask%20on%20first.
Source: put one's own oxygen mask on first on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.