itself
pronoun uk/ɪtˈself/ us/ɪtˈself/
A2 它自己，它本身
used when the subject of the verb is "it" and the object is the same thing, animal, situation, or idea
The cat licked itself all over. 猫将自己的身体舔了个遍。
You have to do something about the problem - it isn't just going to resolve itself. 你得做点什么了——这个问题不会自行解决的。
B1 （表示强调）自身，本身
used to emphasize the subject when it is a thing, animal, situation, or idea
The shop itself (= only the shopand nothing else) started 15 years ago but the internet side of the business is new. 这家商店15年前就开业了，但互联网业务却是新增的。
(all) by itself 自动地；独自地；单独地
alone or without help
The animal had been left in the house by itself for a week. 这个动物被孤零零地留在了房子里一个星期。
A cough will usually get better by itself. 咳嗽一般自己会好的。
Neither group could do anything by itself without agreement from the other.
No single measure by itself can guarantee a healthy life.
Cook the polenta until it is thick enough for a spoon to stand up in it all by itself.
(all) to itself 只为自己使用地，不公开地
for its use only
The committee kept the results of the survey to itself (= did not tell anyone), fearing a bad public reaction. 委员会担心会引发不好的公众反应，因此没有公开调查结果。
Until a few years ago, the firm had the Chinese market pretty much to itself.
I set off early so that my new car would have the road all to itself.
I was amazed to find that my class had the whole museum to itself.
The alligator found a water hole all to itself.
- More examples
- The company has made a valiant effort in the last two years to make itself more efficient.
- Press this button and the video will automatically tune itself to the next channel.
- The kitten curled itself into a ball .
- The government must commit itself to improving healthcare.
- The city is trying to promote itself as a tourist centre.