Cool MateEvery man for himself vs Selfish
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Every man for himself
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Selfish
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: SelfishMost common: Selfish
| Every man for himself | Selfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɛvri mæn fə hɪmˈsɛlf//🇺🇸 //ˈɛvri mæn fɔr hɪmˈsɛlf// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɛlfɪʃ//🇺🇸 //ˈsɛlfɪʃ// |
| Meaning | Each person should take care of themselves first. | Caring only about yourself and not others. |
| Example | In this harsh environment, it's truly every man for himself. | His selfish behavior drove his friends away. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | survival of the fittest, rude awakening, dog eat dog | selfish behavior, selfish act, selfish person, selfish desire, selfish motives |
| Antonyms | - | selfless, unselfish, generous, altruistic |
| Common mistakes | Misuse in formal contexts, as it's informal and somewhat selfish., Confused with 'every man for himself and God for us all', which is a more complex phrase. | Confused with 'self-centered', which can imply a broader personality trait., Using 'selfish' to describe a situation rather than a person., Overusing it as a label rather than describing specific actions. |
| Usage notes | Often used in competitive or stressful situations where individuals must prioritize their own needs over others. | Use 'selfish' to describe someone who prioritizes their own needs over others. It is neutral but can be seen as negative. Avoid using it in formal contexts when discussing complex personalities. |
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Frequently asked questions: Every man for himself vs Selfish
What's the difference between Every man for himself and Selfish?
Every man for himself: Each person should take care of themselves first. Selfish: Caring only about yourself and not others.
Which is more formal: Every man for himself and Selfish?
Selfish is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Every man for himself and Selfish?
Selfish is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Every man for himself: In this harsh environment, it's truly every man for himself. Selfish: His selfish behavior drove his friends away.
Can I use Every man for himself and Selfish interchangeably?
Not always. Every man for himself and Selfish are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.