be hoist/hoisted by/with your own petard

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hoist by/with (one's) own petard

Injured, ruined, or defeated by one's own action, device, or plot that was intended to harm another; having fallen victim to one's own trap or schemes. ("Hoist" in this instance is the past participle of the archaic verb "hoise," meaning to be raised or lifted up. A "petard" was a bell-shaped explosive used to breach walls, doors, and so on.) I tried to get my boss fired by planting drugs on him, but I was hoist by my own petard when the police caught me with them beforehand. The senator continually called on authorities to investigate her political opponent's alleged tax evasion. Now it seems as though she may end her political career hoist with her own petard, as federal agents indicted her for tax fraud on Monday.
See also: by, hoist, own, petard
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

be hoist/hoisted by/with your own peˈtard

(British English) be caught in the trap that you were preparing for another personThis is from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. A petard was a small bomb.
See also: by, hoist, own, petard
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
If someone gives you short shrift in a new-fangled way it probably puts you on your mettle because you don't want to eat humble pie or be hoist with your own petard. These are common, easily understood expressions--but what about shrift, newfangled, mettle, humble pie, and petard?
Going but not quite gone
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