Paint oneself into a corner

Meaning

Limit one's options by acting unwisely.

Usage

Common in negotiations to warn against throwing away flexibility.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Literally painting a floor and trapping oneself near a wall.

Mid-20th century American columnists used it to describe political blunders.