spite

cut one's nose off to spite one's face

Prov. to hurt yourself in an attempt to hurt someone else. (Often in the form, "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.") Isaac dropped out of school because he wanted to make his father angry; years later, he realized that he had cut off his nose to spite his face.

See also: cut, face, nose

in spite of someone or something

without regard to someone or something; even though another course had been prescribed; ignoring a warning. In spite of her orders to stay, I left. In spite of the bad weather, I had fun on vacation.

out of spite

with the desire to harm someone or something. Jane told some evil gossip about Bill out of spite. That was not an accident! You did it out of spite.

See also: out

---

cut off your nose to spite your face

to do something because you are angry, even if it will cause trouble for you 'The next time he treats me like that, I'm just going to quit my job.' 'Isn't that a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face?'

See also: cut, face, nose

---

cut off your nose to spite your face

to hurt yourself in an effort to punish someone else If you stay home because your ex-husband will be at the party, aren't you just cutting off your nose to spite your face?

See also: cut, face, nose

in spite of something

even while recognizing something bad In spite of the problems they’ve faced, they are happy with the life they lead. The drug maker won't change the labeling on its product, in spite of six recent deaths tied to the drug.

Usage notes: used to say that the something bad will not strongly influence you