speak for oneself

present singular third person speaks for oneself · participle present speaking for oneself · past spoke for oneself · participle past spoken for oneself

1. idiomaticimperativeExpressing disagreement with an opinion expressed by another.

   That idea makes no sense at all. – Speak for yourself! I think it's a great idea.

   1 more example

   “I’ll tell you what it is, gentlemen,” said he, “we’re all afraid.”¶ “Speak for yourself, sir,” said Mr. Giles, who was the palest of the party.

   1838, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Looks after Oliver, and Proceeds with His Adventures”, in Oliver Twist; […], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, page 138

2. To have obvious implications; to require no explanation.

   His actions speak for themselves.

   2 more examples

   His fantastic record as a manager speaks for itself.

   This relief to Kings Cross entailed an initial "stop-gap" service of 12 trains daily in each direction, increased to 34 each way from February 1 [1875], and to 43 each way by the following October—figures which speak for themselves.

   1952 October, C. A. Johns, “One Hundred Years at Kings Cross—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 653

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see speak, for. To provide an opinion only on one's own behalf.

   I'm here speaking for myself, not for my company.