dig your own grave
Meaning
To cause your own downfall or get yourself into serious trouble through your own actions.
Origin
From the literal act of preparing a grave for burial. As a metaphor, it suggests you are preparing the conditions for your own end (ruin, failure) through your choices.
Notes
Often used as a warning or criticism: someoneβs actions are setting them up for failure. Fairly strong and negative in tone.
Examples
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If you keep lying to your boss, you're going to dig your own grave.
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Posting those angry comments online could be digging your own grave.
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He dug his own grave by skipping practice and then blaming the coach.
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Don't dig your own grave by ignoring the deadline until the last minute.
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By cheating on the exam, she dug her own grave and got expelled.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually appears as a verb phrase: "dig your own grave" (or "dig his/her/their own grave"). Tense can change ("dug his own grave"), and it can be used with "be" ("Youβre digging your own grave").
Synonyms
- seal your own fate
- be the architect of your own downfall
- shoot yourself in the foot
Antonyms
- save your own skin
- get out of trouble
- redeem yourself