dig one’s own grave
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
- She dug her own grave when she started talking behind her boss’s back.
- I don’t feel sorry for him getting arrested. He dug his own grave when he stole the money.
- If she continues to behave like this towards her senior officer, she’ll be digging her own grave.
- 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.
Similar Idioms
Last update:
Share your opinions5 Opinions
The phrase dig your own grave. If you were to watch The treasure of the Sierra Madre starring Humphrey Bogart back in the day when it was filmed the federales the Mexican federales at the end of the film make the Mexican terrorists, the murdering thieves that that befriended Humphrey Bogart in the end the federal is catch up to these bad guys and they force these three men to dig their own graves because they’re going to be executed right outside their graves that’s where that term originates it’s a probably a punishment a a punishment and execution that went on in Mexico originating in Mexico. When you got caught for being a horrible murdering character by the Mexican federales they make you dig your own grave and then they shoot you and you fall into that grave and then you’re buried!
To dig your own grave is that reference in The treasure of the Sierra Madre starring Humphrey Bogart is a black and white movie I’m not Sherman of is made probably late mid 30s late 30 probably mid late 1930s early 1940s, I have to look that up to find out exactly what year that movie was made. But most certainly the Mexican Federales who determined that these three different men all of whom were connected together had robbed and stolen from Humphrey Bogart essentially what killed him was his ruthless fight to try and stay alive I guess but they they burned him these three men burn them in the Federalists became involved at the hand of a very dear professor friend of Humphrey Bogart and his partner who were there in Mexico trying to find treasure and it’s a pretty good movie I haven’t seen the whole thing it’s on today which is why I bring this up.
The Mexican Federales at the end of this film Humphrey Bogart dies I believe and the professor that contacted the federales to begin with he I believe is there witnessing this these three men being forced with each a shovel in their hands having to dig a hole for their own Graves they were forced to dig their own holes and Graves and then you get the idea they’re going to be executed directly thereafter that’s what I seem to recall at the end of that movie so that’s where that came from that’s the practice at the federal days did on to others who were bad people I believe that’s where it came from “dig your own grave”!
‒ Shawnna Shaw September 13, 2025
I came across a similar expression some time ago…
“dig a hole for oneself”
I guess its meaning is not very different from “dig one’s own grave” although the latter might point out to more serious, permanent effects. Could you please clarify the difference existing between the two expressions?
And if you decide to write a post about expressions related to behaving in a way that is negative for oneself “shoot oneself in the foot” comes to mind, maybe “burn the candle at both ends”? Kind regards! Daniel
‒ Daniel Renuart September 26, 2022
Introducing politics into Supreme Court decisions on abortion and other issues is akin to digging your own grave in American politics.
‒ Ameri Khan June 28, 2022
By ignoring global warming, we are digging our own graves.
‒ Anonymous July 16, 2019
People who dig their own graves do something which causes them great harm.
‒ Falak Thacker June 20, 2019