11. Every man for himself meaning in English

By | May 5, 2020
Every man for himself

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Proverb 11

Every man for himself

Everyone is concerned with protecting their own interests and with getting as much as possible for themselves. This proverb is usually used in a situation in which it is advisable for someone to concentrate on his or her own interests or safety even if this is to the disadvantage of others:

Use of the Proverb Every man for himself in sentences-  

  • There were far more people trying to buy things than there were goods for sale; it was a case of every man for himself
  • It was a fierce battle and there was no time or opportunity to make sure that others were all right; it was every man for himself
  • Several members of the department are keen to be promoted and they will all be applying for the job aggressively; it will be a case of every man for himself.

Additional Help Regarding Every man for himself

The proverb has two longer versions. The less common of these is every man for himself, and God for us all, which means that, although we all protect our own, individual interests, God looks after all our interests:

  • The boxer was told by his trainer that it was likely to be a fierce fight and that it was a case of every man for himself, and God for us all.

The more common of the longer versions is every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost. This means that every man should look after himself and his own interests, not worrying about the interests of others and that the person who is least successful and comes last will suffer the worst fate:

  • There’s only room for five people to sleep in the mountain but and there are six of you; so every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost.
  • There are only a few tickets left for the concert and so you should get down to the box office right away or you will be disappointed; every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost.

A shorter version of this last proverb is devil take the hindmost, used to warn someone against being last or least successful because of the difficulty or disadvantage that this will bring:

  • There are only six places left on the computer course and you should apply now if you are interested; devil take the hindmost.

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