Can I use "divest yourself of" for emotions?

Yes, it can be used for both physical items and intangible things like feelings.

Is "divest yourself of" formal?

Yes, it is generally more formal than phrases like "give up."

Can I say "divest yourself" without "of"?

"Divest yourself" is always followed by "of" and the object.

What is the difference between "divest yourself of" and "give up"?

"Divest yourself of" is more formal and deliberate, while "give up" is more general and informal.

Divest yourself of sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use

What Does “Divest yourself of sth” Mean?

“Divest yourself of sth” means to get rid of or give up something, especially something valuable or important. It often refers to letting go of possessions, feelings, or responsibilities.

Introduction

The phrase “divest yourself of sth” is a useful expression in English that means to remove or free yourself from something. This could be a physical item, such as property or belongings, or something intangible like emotions or habits. Understanding the divest yourself of sth meaning helps you communicate clearly when talking about giving up something deliberately. It is often used in formal or business contexts but can also apply to everyday life when you want to express the idea of shedding or letting go. Learning how to use this phrase correctly will improve your vocabulary and make your English sound more natural and precise.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: divest yourself of something
Type: transitive
Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Short meaning: to get rid of or give up something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Divest yourself of sth” is a fixed expression and is inseparable. You cannot separate “divest” from “yourself” or the object that follows.

Correct pattern: divest yourself of + noun
Incorrect pattern: divest + noun + yourself
Example: She divested herself of her old books.

How to Use “Divest yourself of sth”?

Use “divest yourself of sth” when you want to describe the action of giving up or shedding something, whether physical or abstract. It often implies a conscious decision to separate yourself from something.

In business: Divesting yourself of stocks or assets.
In personal life: Divesting yourself of bad habits or emotions.
In conversation: Talking about letting go of possessions or responsibilities.

Remember, “sth” stands for “something,” so always follow “divest yourself of” with a noun (the thing you are giving up).

Examples

After many years, he decided to divest himself of his old car.
She needed to divest herself of negative thoughts to feel better.
The company plans to divest itself of several unprofitable subsidiaries.
He had to divest himself of his collection before moving abroad.
Divest yourself of sth in a sentence: It’s healthy to divest yourself of toxic relationships.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: I divested the old clothes myself.
Correct: I divested myself of the old clothes.
Incorrect: She divests her of the responsibility.
Correct: She divests herself of the responsibility.
Incorrect: They divested themselves the stocks.
Correct: They divested themselves of the stocks.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrases include:

Give up: More general, can be used for habits, rights, or objects. Less formal.
Discard: Usually physical objects; implies throwing away or disposing.
Relinquish: Often used for rights, claims, or control; more formal.

Divest yourself of is more formal than “give up” and often implies a deliberate and thoughtful process of separation.

Common Collocations

Divest yourself of possessions: To give up material things.
Divest yourself of emotions: To let go of feelings like anger or fear.
Divest yourself of responsibilities: To stop being responsible for something.
Divest yourself of assets: To sell or get rid of financial holdings.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of divest yourself of sth:

Divest Sb Of Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: I’m thinking of selling my bike. It’s just sitting unused.
Ben: Sounds like you want to divest yourself of it.
Anna: Exactly. I want to clear space and get some money back.
Ben: That’s smart. Divesting yourself of things you don’t need can feel freeing.
Anna: Yes, it really does!

Practice

Fill in the blank with the correct form:

She decided to ______ herself of all the old clothes before moving.
The company is planning to ______ itself of non-core businesses.
It’s important to ______ yourself of negative thoughts.

Answers: divest

FAQs

Q: Can I use “divest yourself of” for emotions?
A: Yes, it can be used for both physical items and intangible things like feelings.
Q: Is “divest yourself of” formal?
A: Yes, it is generally more formal than phrases like “give up.”
Q: Can I say “divest yourself” without “of”?
A: No, “divest yourself” is always followed by “of” and the object.
Q: What is the difference between “divest yourself of” and “give up”?
A: “Divest yourself of” is more formal and deliberate, while “give up” is more general and informal.