your good self

English

Noun

your good self (plural your good selves)

1. You; yourself.
   • 1608, William Shakespeare, Coriolanus:

     You talk of pride : O that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves !

   • 1740, Samuel Richardson, Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded:

     This is the only time my low estate has been troublesome to me, since it has subjected me to the frights I have undergone. Love to your good self, and all my dear fellowservants.

   • 2012 -, Aidan Chambers, The Kissing Game: Short Stories, →ISBN:

     You cannot know what it is like to muck about with two or three other rejects, aimlessly kicking a ball in a pretence of playing a game so as not to be shouted at from time to time by your good self, Sir.

   • 2012, Terry Murphy, Broken Star, →ISBN:

     'I'm very well, Mr Chua, thank you,' Raya answered. 'And how is your good self.'

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see your,‎ good,‎ self.; The good aspect of yourself or your reputation.
   • 1995, Althea Horner, Object Relations and the Developing Ego in Therapy, →ISBN, page 182:

     Your good self is well differentiated. It has its own boundaries. Your bad self does not.

   • 2012, Gloria Cook, Unforgettable, →ISBN:

     I feel sick to the core and I need you to be Dorrie the caring, good listener, your good self.

   • 2013, Judy Smith, Good Self, Bad Self: How to Bounce Back from a Personal Crisis, →ISBN:

     A Quick Tour of the Big Seven I've organized this book by traits, devoting a single chapter to each of the seven chief traits that compose the good self/bad self. I end the book with an appendix dedicated to the art of apology, which you'll learn can be one of the most important elements in preserving your good self, and your reputation.

Usage notes

The idiomatic form is typically used when being extremely formal or used humorously.