dig one’s own grave

D

dig one’s own grave

Meaning

• to do something that has negative consequences for you, even though these consequences can be easily seen.
• do something stupid that will seriously harm oneself, cause one’s own ruin or downfall.

Examples in Sentences

1. She dug her own grave when she started talking behind her boss’s back.
2. I don’t feel sorry for him getting arrested. He dug his own grave when he stole the money.
3. If she continues to behave like this towards her senior officer, she’ll be digging her own grave.
4. Getting too close to local hooligans means you’re digging your own grave.

Origin

It is likely that the origin of “dig one’s own grave” came from the Bible proverb ‘Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein‘. The phrasing has developed over the years, but the original proverb still refers to facing the consequences of your own actions.

The original phrase also urges caution when you are setting someone else up for a fall. It may not take long for you to experience the same outcomes that you wish on someone else. Today, this is not something that is generally thought about when the phrase “digging one’s own grave” is used.

As with many phrases that have originally come from the Bible, this idiom has been used for as long as people can remember. Therefore, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time period where the phrase “dig one’s own grave” began to be used.

Death, Stupid