paint oneself into a corner
Create inescapable predicament
To paint oneself into a corner is to create a situation where no good options remain—like someone painting a floor who ends up trapped in a corner, unable to move without ruining the work.
The phrase describes self-inflicted predicaments where earlier choices have eliminated escape routes: By promising both sides different things, she painted herself into a corner.
- cut off one's nose to spite one's faceHarm yourself seeking revenge
- hoist by one's own petardHarmed by own plot
- back against the wallDesperate, no alternatives left
- between a rock and a hard placeFacing only bad options
- tight spotDifficult position, few options
boxed in · bind · blunder · dilemma · self-sabotage · miscalculation · deadlock · impasse · dead end · quagmire · predicament · stalemate · trap · plight · dig one's own grave · misstep · cul-de-sac · shoot oneself in the foot
paint oneself into a cornerkeep one's options open
Maintain multiple possibilities
leave the door open · hedge one's bets · keep one's powder dry · cover one's bases · hold all the cards
paint oneself into a cornerthink ahead
Plan for future events
plan ahead · play one's cards right · cover all bases · leave nothing to chance · strategize
corner, painting, painted, painter, cornered, cornerstone, corners, paints, unpainted