shoot yourself in the foot
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 yourself in the foot
COMMON If you shoot yourself in the foot, you do or say something stupid which causes problems for you or harms your chances of success. If I was to insult the contestants I would be shooting myself in the foot. The shop ran a 25 per cent off sale early in December. It now looks as if it shot itself in the foot, attracting people who meant to shop there anyway to do so during the promotion instead.
See also: foot, shoot
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
shoot yourself in the foot
inadvertently make a situation worse for yourself; demonstrate gross incompetence. informal 1997 Spectator The only thing the Royal Opera seems to have done successfully is shoot itself in the foot.
See also: foot, shoot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
shoot yourself in the ˈfoot
(informal) do or say something stupid which is against your own interests: You’d better prepare your argument carefully — you don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot.See also: foot, shoot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- shoot (oneself) in the foot
- shoot in the foot
- shoot oneself 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