a lone wolf
Meaning(s)
1. someone who prefers to be or work alone
Popularity
Medium
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
it's hard to get to know him/her as he/she is a bit of a lone wolf
Analysis
A 'lone wolf' is someone who would rather work on tasks or projects on their own, sometimes because they prefer not to share the credit for a positive outcome. Although being a team-player is seen as a good quality in the business world, many people who rise to the top have done so because they have distinguished themselves from others. This is often what a 'lone wolf' achieves. You might hear this used in social situations, but it is mostly suited to professional contexts.
Social Examples (Basic)
- Liam seems like a nice guy, but it's hard to get to know him as he keeps himself to himself most of the time. He's a bit of a lone wolf really.
- I am a lone wolf when it comes to completing projects. I hate working with other people who let me down.
Professional Examples (Basic)
- In the office, Mary has the reputation of being a lone wolf, but I actually found her to be engaging and very easy to work with.
- The boss knows that I'm a lone wolf, so to get the best out of me he gives me tasks to do on my own rather than assigning me to group projects.