leave someone to his or her own devices
idiom
: to allow (someone) to do what he or she wants or is able to do without being controlled or helped by anyone else
—often used as be left to one's own devices
The students were left to their own devices when the teacher failed to appear on time.
Cite this Entry
“Leave someone to his or her own devices.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leave%20someone%20to%20his%20or%20her%20own%20devices. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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