COME INTO ONESELF?

Question

Is "come into oneself" a corrupted version of "come into one's own"?

MeggPhaggSioux · Accepted Answer

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CSnyder · Answer

Probably not.

I'd say "come into oneself" means something like "finally be comfortable with who you are" whereas "come into one's own" means "to achieve your full potential".

I haven't really heard or seen anyone use "come into oneself" before though.

MeggPhaggSioux · Answer

Then "come into oneself/himself/herself" is flat out wrong?

CSnyder · Answer

I wouldn't say that.  It depends on context, like almost everything else.

MeggPhaggSioux · Answer

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1W6636EQKQ9W2

"Born into a world of wealth and power, dominated first by formidable parents and then by a charismatic husband tormented by the demon of manic depression, she came into herself in middle age as she struggled to lead her family's company through some of the most turbulent and fascinating times in the country's history. Katharine Graham emerges as both a product and a reflection of those times."

Do you think "come into oneself" is slangy or informal, because I couldn't find it in many dictionaries?

CSnyder · Answer

No, it's neither slangy nor particularly informal.  That's a perfectly reasonable use of the phrase.

COME INTO ONESELF?

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