Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
cut-off-your-nose-to-spite-your-face
idiom
/ˈkʌt ɒf jɔːr noʊz tʊ spaɪt jɔːr feɪs/
Definition
To harm oneself in an attempt to harm someone else.
Examples
- He refused to apologize, thinking it would cut off his nose to spite his face.
- Selling her shares in the company just because she was upset only cut off her nose to spite her face.
Meaning
This phrase refers to actions that are self-destructive, taken out of spite or anger, which ultimately hurt the person acting rather than the intended target.
Synonyms
- Self-sabotage
- Penny wise, pound foolish
- Burning bridges
