foul (one's) own nest

foul (one's) own nest

To do something that causes problems for oneself. I'm pretty sure I fouled my own nest when I accidentally insulted the boss's daughter at the holiday party.

See also: foul, nest, own

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

foul one's own nest

Fig. to harm one's own interests; to bring disadvantage upon oneself. (Alludes to a bird excreting into its own nest. See also It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest.) He tried to discredit a fellow senator with the president, but just succeeded in fouling his own nest. The boss really dislikes Mary. She certainly fouled her own nest when she spread those rumors about him.

See also: foul, nest, own

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

foul your own nest

LITERARY

If someone fouls their own nest, they do something which harms themselves and damages their chances of success. Man has invented a hundred ways of fouling his own nest — the grime, the pollution, the heat, the poisons in the air, the metals in the water.

See also: foul, nest, own

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

foul your own nest

do something damaging or harmful to yourself or your own interests.

The proverb it's an ill bird that fouls its own nest , used of a person who criticizes or abuses their own country or family, has been found in English since the early 15th century.

See also: foul, nest, own

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017