foul one's own nest
The idiom "foul one's own nest" originates from the behavior of birds that dirty their own living spaces and refers to self-destructive actions.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic, informal)To harm one's own interests or well-being through one's actions.
Example
- By spreading rumors about his colleagues, he is only fouling his own nest.
B2Family and Social
(idiomatic)To bring trouble or disgrace upon oneself or one's family.
Example
- She fouled her own nest by getting involved in that scandal, causing embarrassment to her family.
B2Environmental
(idiomatic)To spoil or ruin one's own environment or situation through improper behavior.
Example
- Dumping waste in the river is a way of fouling one's own nest, as it affects the entire community.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "foul one's own nest":
foul upfall foulstick one's foot in itscratch one's own itchmuck uptread on someone's toeswet one's beak