Cut your own throat
verb phrase
To do something that will harm yourself or spoil your own chances of success.
By selling his business to his competitors, he's cutting his own throat.
Often appears as...
- don't cut your own throat
- cutting his own throat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
Unwillingly cause one's own failure or loss.
If she continues to be arrogant with her customers, she is basically cutting her own throat.
Often appears as...
- cut their own throat
- cut its own throat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To do something that will harm yourself or spoil your own chances of success.
By selling his business to his competitors, he's cutting his own throat.
Often appears as...
- don't cut your own throat
- cutting his own throat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
Unwillingly cause one's own failure or loss.
If she continues to be arrogant with her customers, she is basically cutting her own throat.
Often appears as...
- cut their own throat
- cut its own throat
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Self-Sabotage
The phrase implies someone is acting against their own best interests, often unknowingly.
He skipped team meetings and ended up cutting his own throat.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorically Speaking
This phrase is metaphorical; it doesn't involve actual physical harm, but rather self-inflicted problems.
Ignoring her advisor's warnings, she cut her own throat academically.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoidable Consequences
The phrase often suggests the person could avoid the negative outcome if they acted differently.
He kept wasting money and eventually cut his own throat financially.
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