Learning English Conversations
Aug 4, 2026 · 3 min · 4 segments
Learn an expression to use when someone doesn't socialise much with other people and prefers to be alone. You can get a free transcript for this programme here…
Becca, our new office neighbor seems nice, but I hardly ever see him talking to anyone.
Yes, he really seems to keep himself to himself.
Uh, what does that mean?
If someone keeps themself to themselves, they don't spend much time socializing with other people.
They prefer to be on their own and usually don't share much about their personal life.
Someone who is introverted could prefer to keep themself to themselves.
So does it mean they're unfriendly?
Not at all.
Someone who keeps themself to themselves can be perfectly friendly.
It just means they're private or quiet.
It usually has a neutral description, although sometimes people use it to suggest someone who is a bit mysterious.
Ah, I see.
Now, let's hear some more examples.
[upbeat music]
I'm just gonna keep myself to myself today.
I'm so tired.
I've been trying to get to know my new neighbor recently, but I think she likes to keep herself to herself.
When I go traveling on my own, I usually want to meet up with people, but there are others who just want to keep themselves to themselves.
[upbeat music]
Good examples there.
Becca, can I say keep ourselves to ourselves?
Yes, you certainly can.
You can change the pronoun depending on who you're talking about.
She could keep herself to herself, or maybe there's a lot going on and I want to keep myself to myself.
And with a very different meaning, if we say we keep something to ourselves, it means we're keeping a secret or just aren't sharing it.
Becca, our new office neighbor seems nice, but I hardly ever see him talking to anyone.
Yes, he really seems to keep himself to himself.
Uh, what does that mean?
If someone keeps themself to themselves, they don't spend much time socializing with other people.
They prefer to be on their own and usually don't share much about their personal life.
Someone who is introverted could prefer to keep themself to themselves.
So does it mean they're unfriendly?
Not at all.
Someone who keeps themself to themselves can be perfectly friendly.
It just means they're private or quiet.
It usually has a neutral description, although sometimes people use it to suggest someone who is a bit mysterious.
Ah, I see.
Now, let's hear some more examples.
[upbeat music]
I'm just gonna keep myself to myself today.
I'm so tired.
I've been trying to get to know my new neighbor recently, but I think she likes to keep herself to herself.
When I go traveling on my own, I usually want to meet up with people, but there are others who just want to keep themselves to themselves.
[upbeat music]
Good examples there.
Becca, can I say keep ourselves to ourselves?
Yes, you certainly can.
You can change the pronoun depending on who you're talking about.
She could keep herself to herself, or maybe there's a lot going on and I want to keep myself to myself.
And with a very different meaning, if we say we keep something to ourselves, it means we're keeping a secret or just aren't sharing it.
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