Suit yourself means 'do as you like, it's your choice'. You say it when someone turns down your suggestion and you stop trying to persuade them: 'I'll walk.' 'Suit yourself.' It sounds a little hurt or indifferent, sometimes playful. To leave a choice to someone calmly, say it's up to you or whatever suits you.
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Suit yourself; suit yourselves when addressing several people
- 'I'd rather walk than wait for the bus.' 'Suit yourself; I'll see you there.'
- 'I'm keeping the old design.' 'Suit yourself, but the new one is easier to read.'
- If you both prefer to stay here, suit yourselves.
What changed
First version'Could we move the meeting to Friday, Mr Brown?' 'Suit yourself.'
Revision'Could we move the meeting to Friday, Mr Brown?' 'Sure, whatever suits you.'
Suit means 'be convenient', so suit yourself seems like a polite way to let someone choose. But in English it means 'fine, I don't care'. To a boss or a client, say whatever suits you.
It's up to you is a calm 'you decide', with no feeling attached: 'Pizza or sushi?' 'It's up to you.' Suit yourself comes after an argument or a refusal: you've given up and stepped aside. To several people, say suit yourselves.
Your turn
Your friend refuses to take an umbrella although it's raining. You stop arguing: ___, but don't blame me if you get wet.
Show the answer
Suit yourself — Your friend is being stubborn and you stop arguing: that's suit yourself. It suits you means 'it looks good on you' and is said about clothes or a haircut.
Your friend refuses to share a taxi and walks home in the rain. Answer them in one sentence with suit yourself.
'I'll walk, thanks.' 'Suit yourself, but it's going to pour.'
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