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Region: US | Usage example: By missing the deadline, he shot himself in the foot.

Shoot yourself in the foot

Meaning

Harm yourself through your own actions.

Usage

Used when mistakes hurt one's own standing.

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.

Literal mishap while handling firearms.

Common in military and sports talk from the 20th century.

Related Idioms

Shoot oneself in the foot

Do something self-defeating.

Pull yourself up by your bootstraps

Rise through effort and self-reliance.

Get a hold of yourself

Calm down and compose yourself.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.