make a martyr of (oneself)

To go out of one's way to do difficult or unpleasant things, especially to engender pity or sympathy in others. My mother always made a martyr of herself at Christmas time, slaving away in the kitchen and then complaining about how tired she was.

See also: make, martyr, of

See also:

heartstring
play on heartstrings
play on the/(one's) heartstrings
have pity on
have pity on (one)
fall out with (someone) about (something)
take pity
take pity on
take pity on (someone or something)
be man enough for (something)

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