foul one's own nest
Damage one's home
To foul one's own nest is to harm one's own home, family, workplace, or community through disloyal or destructive behavior.
The image comes from a bird soiling where it sleeps—an act against basic self-interest.
Someone who publicly criticizes their employer or betrays close associates fouls their own nest: He fouled his own nest by badmouthing the company to reporters.
- self-destructionDeliberately causing one's downfall
- shoot oneself in the footHarm one's own cause
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- wasteUnwanted discarded material
- messDisorderly, troublesome condition
disloyalty · burn bridges · inner circle · family secrets · dirty laundry · air dirty laundry · hypocrisy · backstabbing · short-sightedness · recklessness · betrayal · rot · ostracism · alienation · droppings · selfishness · habitat destruction · exploitation
foul one's own nestkeep it in the family
close ranks · circle the wagons · keep one's counsel · have someone's back
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