back/paint somebody/yourself into a corner

back (one or oneself) into a corner

1. To force one into a difficult or unpleasant situation that one cannot easily resolve or escape. My boss really backed me into a corner when he asked me to fire the CEO's daughter. Scott has been backed into a corner with this mortgage payment that he cannot afford. The senator's opponent backed him into a corner during the debate, forcing him to take back several things he'd already said.

2. To put oneself into such a situation. I really backed myself into a corner when I agreed to go to two events on the same night. You really backed yourself into a corner by leaving this essay till the last minute, huh? Why did you agree to go if you didn't really want to? You've backed yourself into a corner now.

See also: back, corner

paint (oneself) into a corner

To create a predicament or unpleasant situation for oneself whereby there are no or very few favorable solutions or outcomes. I really painted myself into a corner by leaving this essay till the last minute! The candidate painted himself into a corner during the debate, having to take back several things he'd already said.

See also: corner, paint

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

paint yourself into a corner

or

box yourself into a corner

If you paint yourself into a corner or box yourself into a corner, you create difficulties for yourself by your own actions. The Government has painted itself into a corner on the issue of equalising the State pension age. You've boxed yourself into a corner, haven't you? You have no one to blame but yourself. Note: You can also say that someone paints you into a corner or boxes you into a corner, meaning they force you into a difficult situation. You'll fight to the death when you're boxed into a corner unless you're provided with a reasonable way out. Note: `Paint someone into a corner' refers to someone who is painting a floor and ends up in a corner of the room with wet paint all round them. `Box someone into a corner' refers to a boxer being forced into a corner of the ring and having no way of escaping.

See also: corner, paint

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

paint yourself into a corner

leave yourself no means of escape or room to manoeuvre.

See also: corner, paint

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

back/paint somebody/yourself into a ˈcorner

(usually used in the passive) force somebody/yourself into a very difficult position that they/you cannot escape from: The President had backed himself into a corner by promising not to raise taxes.

See also: back, corner, paint, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017