hoist by one's own petard
Meaning: To be harmed or destroyed by one's own trap or scheme meant to injure someone else.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From a petard, a small explosive device used in siege warfare; if it detonates prematurely or is turned against its maker, it destroys him instead of the enemy.
More idioms — Daily Life
- ace up one's sleeve — A hidden advantage or secret resource kept in reserve to use when needed.
- old fogey — An elderly person with old-fashioned or reactionary views.
- bash into shape — To shape, repair, or train something or someone by vigorous, rough, or direct methods.
- in the same boat — In a shared predicament or situation; facing the same difficulties or circumstances toget…
- go along for the ride — To accompany someone passively, without taking an active role or responsibility.
- long fuse — A personality trait of being slow to anger; patience before losing one's temper.
More English idioms
- sleep with the fishes — To be dead, with one's body disposed of in the ocean or a large body of water.
- Augean stables — An extremely filthy, corrupt, or morally decayed place or situation that seems impossible…
- on eternal patrol — Lost or missing at sea, presumed dead.
- play with house money — To take risks when one has nothing personal to lose, or to act recklessly because the sta…
- all mouth and trousers — Full of loud boasting and empty talk, lacking substance or follow-through.
- turn on one's heel — To suddenly depart or walk away, often in a dramatic or dismissive manner.
From our compliments & insults
- Eres más lento que el caballo del malo — You're painfully slow — the villain's horse never catches the hero.
- Testa di rapa — A blockhead who isn't thinking.
- Du hast doch einen Vogel — You're a bit out of your mind.