IdiomNature
English
Englishsaw off the branch one is sitting on
Meaning: To harm one's own position or interests.
Example: “Firing the only engineer who understands the system is sawing off the branch you're sitting on.”
Origin: A familiar image of folly found in many European languages; in English it is common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Danish: At save den gren over man selv sidder på Literally: To saw off the branch you're sitting on
More English idioms
- go around the houses To take a needlessly long or roundabout way.
- do the heavy lifting To do the hardest part of a job.
- ask for trouble To behave in a way likely to cause problems for oneself.
- worth the price of admission So entertaining that it would be worth paying to watch.
- pull a long face To look sad, sulky or disappointed.
- rushed off one's feet Extremely busy.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Você tem muita garra You have fierce, relentless determination — you claw your way through any obstacle.
- Ты умница (ty umnitsa) You're bright, clever, and admirable — said warmly of someone who handles things well.
- У тебя золотые руки (u tebya zolotye ruki) You're extraordinarily skilled — able to make or fix anything with your hands.
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