In tough times, one must sometimes take oneself up by one's own ears and face the challenges alone.

To lift oneself up by one's own bootstraps requires determination and hard work.

To pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps requires grit and determination in the face of repeated setbacks.

When he leaked the company's secrets, everyone said it's an ill bird that fouls its own nest.

One must lift oneself up by one's own boot-tags to survive in this industry.

Whenever negotiations get tough, she shrugs and mutters every miller draws water to his own mill, reminding us that people mostly look after their own interests.