To each their own 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️

Meaning

People have different preferences and opinions, and that's okay.

Origin

This venerable saying boasts roots stretching back to antiquity, with echoes found in the writings of Aristotle and even earlier. The Latin poet Terence penned "Quot homines, tot sententiae" – "As many men, so many opinions" – which captures the very essence of the sentiment. For centuries, variations like "to every man his own" or "every one to his own way" circulated, but the current, gender-neutral "to each their own" solidified its place in modern English, celebrating the beautiful diversity of human thought and taste.

🗣️ communication 🦉🤔 wisdom

To each their own represented with emoji🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️

This delightful arrangement of figures, 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️, gently reminds us that individuality is a beautiful thing. It serves as a playful nudge, encouraging us to celebrate the diverse tapestry of human taste, inviting a dialogue on the simple truth that accepting our differences is what makes life so wonderfully colorful.

Examples

  • You love pineapple on your pizza, and I can't stand it, but to each their own.
  • Some people prefer to read books, while others enjoy watching movies for entertainment; to each their own.
  • He insists on wearing socks with sandals, but to each their own, I suppose.
  • She believes that squirrels are just tiny, fluffy spies sent from another dimension, and to each their own!

Frequently asked questions

Is 'to each their own' considered a proverb or an idiom?

'To each their own' functions more as a proverb, offering a piece of wisdom or a general truth about human diversity. While idioms are fixed phrases whose meaning isn't deducible from the individual words, this phrase's meaning is quite straightforward and commonly understood.

What is the opposite of 'to each their own'?

A potential opposite of 'to each their own' could be a phrase emphasizing conformity or a single, correct way of doing things, such as 'one size fits all' or 'the only way is the highway'. These imply a lack of acceptance for differing preferences or opinions.

Has the phrase 'to each their own' always been gender-neutral?

The modern, gender-neutral 'to each their own' is a relatively recent development, solidifying in the 20th century. Older variations like 'to every man his own' were common, reflecting the grammatical norms and societal focus of their times.

Can 'to each their own' be used to dismiss someone's opinion?

While its core meaning is about accepting diversity, 'to each their own' can sometimes be used dismissively, implying that the speaker doesn't care about or agree with the other person's preference. The tone and context are crucial in determining its usage.

Similar to "To each their own"

Vive la différence!
Both celebrate distinct preferences, but 'Vive la différence!' throws a celebratory, almost defiant, French flair onto the idea that variety is inherently good
Different strokes for different folks
Both acknowledge individual preferences, but 'Different strokes...' paints a more folksy, American picture of people doing their own thing, like distinct brushstrokes on a canvas
Chacun cherche midi à sa porte
Both phrases recognize that people operate according to their own logic, but this French idiom humorously suggests that everyone is optimistically looking for convenience or advantage in their own, peculiar way

Opposite of "To each their own"

The one true way
This argues for a universal standard against 'To each their own,' suggesting that some paths are objectively correct and that individual deviation leads to error or ruin
We must all march in lockstep
It insists on conformity and shared action, directly challenging the comfortable acceptance of diverse preferences that 'To each their own' champions, framing unity as essential for progress or survival
There's right and there's wrong
This proclamation dismisses the relativism of personal preference, asserting a clear moral or factual dichotomy where 'To each their own' sees only subjective choice

Related to "To each their own"

It takes all sorts to make a world
This phrase shares the acceptance of diversity with 'To each their own,' but it emphasizes the necessity of that variety for the world to function, rather than just the acceptability of personal taste
Agree to disagree
This is the conversational peace treaty that often follows 'To each their own,' acknowledging differences of opinion while signaling an end to the debate and a desire to maintain the relationship
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Both phrases speak to the subjective nature of individual judgment, but this one focuses specifically on aesthetic perception, offering a poetic justification for why tastes differ
To play devil's advocate
While 'To each their own' accepts differing views, playing devil's advocate deliberately introduces an opposing argument, often for the sake of thoroughness or stimulating discussion, rather than simply letting the differences be