What is the meaning of the phrase ‘Look yourself in the mirror’?
Reflect on your actions or behaviour (especially when being hypocritical or unpleasant).
What is the origin of the phrase ‘Look yourself in the mirror’?
The idiom ‘Look yourself in the mirror’, which can also be written ‘Look oneself in the mirror’, does not derive from a specific historical reference. Instead, it merely draws upon the literal act of looking at oneself in the mirror, using it as a metaphor for self reflection.
Mirrors have been in use since around 4000 BCE, so it is likely that this is a particularly old phrase, and present in many cultures and languages besides Western culture and the English language.
In a literal sense, a mirror enables one to reflect on oneself. But when used in a metaphorical sense, it refers to reflecting on one’s attitude and behaviour. The phrase is most often used in relation to becoming more aware of one’s faults, and to inspire change for the better.
It’s worth noting at this point that the phrase ‘look oneself in the mirror’ has similarities to the looking someone in the eye. If someone says that they can’t look themselves in the mirror, this is much like not being able to look someone in the eye. It is a sign of feeling ashamed.
Today there are several variations of the phrase in use, such as ‘take a look at yourself first’ ‘take a long, hard look in the mirror’ and ‘I don’t know how you can look at yourself in the mirror’. In this instance the recipient of the phrase is being told that they should be ashamed of themselves and their behaviour.
What are some notable uses of the phrase ‘Look yourself in the mirror’?
Themes around being able to look yourself in the mirror can be found in both classic and modern literature, including in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. The theme also appears in film and TV, such as in the legal drama A Few Good Men starring Tom Cruise. There’s also a song about self-reflection and personal change from the iconic Michael Jackson.
The theme also crops up in personal development, where it has been used by the likes of Tony Robbins and Stephen Covey, and in public speaking by the likes of Oprah Winfrey.
