don't cut off your nose to spite your face

don't cut off your nose to spite your face

Don't so something harmful or disadvantageous to yourself just to seek retribution against someone else. I know you're mad at your parents, but running away is only going to make your own life harder. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
See also: cut, face, nose, off, spite
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • bite (one's) nose off to spite (one's) face
  • bite off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face
  • cut (one's) nose off to spite (one's) face
  • cut nose off to spite face
  • cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face
  • cut off nose to spite face
  • cut off one's nose to spite one's face
  • cut off your nose to spite your face
  • spite
  • it's payback time
References in periodicals archive
There are so many adages that we can throw at Boris, such as "don't cut off your nose to spite your face".
BoJo bull; SAIRA KHAN Our award-winning columnist @iamsairakhan
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face, there's no point in trying to prove a point, simply play your best players and you will be rewarded as Slade was against Wolves.
City must show some respect to star striker; THE REACTION
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face and let it ruin your joy at being a gran
Just Joan: Heartache over name of my first grandchild
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face -- you should always leave a company on good terms.
How to: resign professionally
* Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Emulate whatever you admire about your mom, and join her in any activities you like.
"I'm Not You!"
"But you also have to be careful that you don't cut off your nose to spite your face; you don't do something different just to be different--something that may not serve the material.
Rob Marshall: something to dance about