see v Phr see one's own time: to act only in accordance with one's own judgement and imperative.
1863 MORETON 25-6 [of poor people's general character] Having complete command of their time, these people are of strange imperturbable habit. Unaccustomed to move at other men's bidding, they are hardly to be excited to action unless impelled by their own perception of need. 'When I see my own time,' is a phrase continually in their mouths. 1937 DEVINE 62 'When I see my own time.' Asked to do a certain work a person was able to display an enviable spirit of independence when this was said.
