Definition of "bootstraps" [bootstraps]

• Plural form of bootstrap. (noun)

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• "Ken Peters, Peer Liaison for San Diego County through Recovery Innovations of California: I do feel the idea that homeless people with mental illness need only 'pull themselves up by their bootstraps' is ridiculous."
• "Barack Obama has lifted himself by his bootstraps from the South Side of Chicago to be an intelligent and charasmatic leader."
• "Hauling yourself up by your bootstraps is very difficult."