to oneself(1) {adv. phr.} 1. Silently; in the thoughts; without making a sign that others can see; secretly. * /Tom thought to himself that he could win./ * /Mary said to herself that Joan was prettier than Ann./ * /Bill laughed to himself when John fell down./ 2. Without telling others; in private; as a secret. - Used after "keep". * /Mary keeps her affairs to herself./ * /John knew the answer to the problem, but he kept it to himself./