raise oneself up by one's own bootstraps

Questions

What does raise oneself up by one's own bootstraps mean?

Alternative form of pull oneself up by one's bootstraps.

How to pronounce raise oneself up by one's own bootstraps

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “raise oneself up by one's own bootstraps”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “raise oneself up by one's own bootstraps”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “raise oneself up by one's own bootstraps” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.