be your own worst enemy
be (one's) own worst enemy
To do things that complicate one's life or keep one from success; to be self-destructive or self-sabotaging. Of course Tommy started skipping school again—he's his own worst enemy. She always sabotages a relationship when it's going really well because she's her own worst enemy. Mike gets so anxious on dates that he has a hard time making conversation—he ends up being his own worst enemy.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
be your own worst enemy
act contrary to your own interests; be self-destructive. 1993 Richard Lowe & William Shaw Travellers We convinced ourselves that everything was against us but the truth was we were probably our own worst enemies.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
be your ˌown worst ˈenemy
be a person who often creates problems or difficulties for himself/herself: He spends all his money on clothes, and then finds that he’s got nothing left to live on — if you ask me, he’s his own worst enemy.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
References in periodicals archive
YOU could
be your own worst enemy if you always feel a formal invitation is needed to visit your family.
But you can
be your own worst enemy when there's a lot of negative chatter going on inside your head.
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