painted oneself into a corner
Created own predicament
To paint oneself into a corner is to create a situation through one's own actions where no good options remain.
The image is of someone painting a floor who fails to plan an exit route and ends up trapped in a corner, unable to leave without ruining the fresh paint.
By promising both tax cuts and increased spending, the candidate had painted herself into a corner.
The phrase emphasizes that the predicament is self-inflicted rather than imposed by external circumstances.
- escape planStrategy for fleeing confinement
- hoist with one's own petardHarmed by own scheme
- overcommitmentPromising beyond one's capacity
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- tunnel visionInability to see periphery
contingency planning · negotiation · risk assessment · adaptability · lateral thinking · self-sabotage · damage control · course correction · exit strategy · brushstroke · checkmate · rock and a hard place · burned one's bridges · cognitive dissonance · brainstorming · restriction · learned helplessness · perfectionism
painted oneself into a cornerkept one's options open
Preserved multiple possible paths
painted oneself into a cornerbacked into a corner
painted oneself into a cornerplayed one's cards right
Acted strategically for advantage
planned ahead · seized the initiative · landed on one's feet
painted, painting, painter, paints, painterly, repaint, repainted, oneself, selfish