dig (one's) own grave
(redirected from digging their own graves)dig (one's) own grave
To do something that has or will have negative consequences that are easily able to be foreseen. If you don't turn in your project, you're digging your own grave. There's no way you'll get a decent grade without it! I'm afraid I'm digging my own grave by turning down the promotion.
dig one's own grave
Fig. to be responsible for one's own downfall or ruin. If you try to cheat the bank, you will be digging your own grave. Those politicians have dug their own grave with their new tax bill. They won't be reelected.
dig one's own grave
Seriously harm oneself, cause one's own ruin or downfall. For example, If Sam pursues that course, he'll be digging his own grave. [First half of 1900s]
dig your own grave
If you dig your own grave, you create serious problems for yourself by doing something foolish. I don't feel sorry for him — he's dug his own grave as far as I'm concerned.
dig your own grave
do something foolish which causes you to fail or leads to your downfall. 1995 Colin Bateman Divorcing Jack Then I thought about Patricia again and how much I was missing her and how I'd dug my own grave over the phone.