shoot in the foot
Related to shoot in the foot: put foot down
shoot (oneself) in the foot
To damage or impede one's own plans, progress, or actions through foolish actions or words. He'd have a real shot at winning the election if he didn't keep shooting himself in the foot with such inflammatory remarks. I think we shot ourselves in the foot by firing her, because she knew more about the project than anyone else.
See also: foot, shoot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
shoot oneself in the foot
Fig. to cause oneself difficulty; to be the author of one's own misfortune. I am a master at shooting myself in the foot. Again, he shot himself in the foot by saying too much to the press.
See also: foot, shoot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
shoot oneself in the foot
Foolishly harm one's own cause, as in He really shot himself in the foot, telling the interviewer all about the others who were applying for the job he wanted . This colloquial term alludes to an accidental shooting as opposed to a deliberate one done so as to avoid military service.
See also: foot, shoot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
shoot oneself in the foot
tv. to cause oneself difficulty; to be the author of one’s own doom. Again, he shot himself in the foot with his open and honest dealings with the press.
See also: foot, shoot
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
shoot (oneself) in the foot
To do or say something that inadvertently undermines one's interests.
See also: foot, shoot
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
shoot oneself in the foot, to
To hurt one’s own cause by mistake. This expression calls up the image of someone holding a firearm pointed down and accidentally discharging it. Although the effect is the same, it must be distinguished from injuring oneself intentionally in order to avoid military service (or to be sent home from the front).
See also: shoot
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- shoot (oneself) in the foot
- shoot oneself in the foot
- shoot yourself in the foot
- vacuum
- do something in a vacuum
- in a vacuum
- day in court, have one's
- get (one's) day in court
- have (one's) day in court
- example is better than precept