British

something that someone does to try to get an advantage, but which makes a situation worse for them.

The publishing industry believes that new regulations on recycling paper will be an environmental own goal.

The government has scored an own goal with its harsh treatment of single parents.

• hold someone at arm's length
• hold someone in check
• hold someone over
• hold someone's feet to the fire
• hold someone's hand
• hold someone to
• hold someone to ransom
• hold someone to something
• hold something against
• hold something against someone
• hold something back
• hold something in check
• hold something over
• hold sway
• hold the fort
• hold the key
• hold the line
• hold the line on
• hold the line on something
• hold the purse strings
• hold the whip hand
• hold to
• hold tongue
• hold to ransom
• hold to something