dig one's own grave
Cause own ruin
To dig one's own grave is to take actions that lead to one's own downfall or ruin, usually without realizing the consequences.
The image is of someone unwittingly preparing for their own destruction: By ignoring those warning signs, she was digging her own grave.
The phrase emphasizes self-inflicted harm through poor judgment or reckless behavior.
Harmful to oneself
- self-defeatingCausing one's own failure
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- misjudgeEvaluate incorrectly
miscalculate · overplay · shortsighted · compromise · blunder · misstep · hubris · overconfident
Yield unintended consequences
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
- aftermathResults following an event
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- ramificationsResulting effects or outcomes
blowback · penalty · punishment · price · costs · outcome · result · implications
Complete destruction or collapse
- demiseCessation of existence
- collapseSudden structural failure
- destructionAct of completely ruining
- defeatVictory over another
failure · disaster · undoing · decline · doom · implosion · disgrace · catastrophe
Carelessly ignoring danger
- imprudentLacking careful forethought
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- incautiousCarelessly unguarded
heedless · foolhardy · careless · hasty · brash · impetuous · unthinking · ill-advised
Serving as warning
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- direExtremely serious or urgent
- perilousFraught with danger
precarious · hazardous · risky · threatening · jeopardy · impending doom · writing on the wall · fair warning
self-destructive
Harmful to oneself
- self-defeatingCausing one's own failure
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- overreachExceed one's capacity
misjudge · miscalculate · overplay · shortsighted · compromise · blunder · misstep · hubris · overconfident · injudicious
backfire
Yield unintended consequences
- repercussionsIndirect results of actions
- aftermathResults following an event
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
ramifications · blowback · penalty · punishment · price · costs · outcome · result · implications · liability
ruin
Complete destruction or collapse
- demiseCessation of existence
- collapseSudden structural failure
- destructionAct of completely ruining
defeat · failure · disaster · undoing · decline · doom · implosion · disgrace · catastrophe · end
reckless
Carelessly ignoring danger
- imprudentLacking careful forethought
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
incautious · heedless · foolhardy · careless · hasty · brash · impetuous · unthinking · ill-advised · thoughtless
cautionary
Serving as warning
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
- direExtremely serious or urgent
perilous · precarious · hazardous · risky · threatening · jeopardy · impending doom · writing on the wall · fair warning · admonitory
dig one's own gravelook out for number one
Favor your own interests
cover one's bases · watch one's back · play it safe · self-preservation · hedge one's bets
dig one's own gravethink ahead
Plan for future events
play one's cards right · cover all the bases · leave nothing to chance · have one's ducks in a row
dig one's own gravefeather one's nest
Exploit position for profit
pave the way · lay the groundwork · get one's ducks in a row · climb the ladder · strike while the iron is hot
digging, digs, digger, diggers, owned, owning, owner, owners, ownership