Cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Rachel Chau calendar 2021-07-29 08:07

Meaning of Cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face

Cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face phrase idiomatic

Bite (one's) nose off to spite (one's) face is also used to convey the same meaning.

To do something disadvantageous or harmful to yourself in order to hurt someone else

She got out of the car and walked home in the rain after fighting with her boyfriend. She was just cutting her nose off to spite her face.

The coach seemingly cut his nose off to spite his face by selling James - one of the top-scorers in the team - after an argument with him.

Other phrases about:

To lower the boom (on someone or something)

To punish someone or something harshly 

you can't unring a bell

Once something has been done, you can do nothing but face the consequences.

to ask for trouble
to behave in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties
ask for trouble

Act in a way that is likely to cause problems for you

Grammar and Usage of Cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face

Verb Forms

  • cuts (one's) nose off to spite (one's) face
  • cutting (one's) nose off to spite (one's) face
  • Possessive Adjectives

    • cut her nose off to spite her face
    • cut his nose off to spite his face
    • cut my nose off to spite my face
    • cut our nose off to spite our face
    • cut their nose off to spite their face
    • cut your nose off to spite your face

The verb "cut" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of Cut off (one's) nose to spite (one's) face

The idea of the expression may come from the fact that it was not uncommon in the Middle Ages for a person to cut off the nose of another for various reasons, including punishment from the state, or as an act of revenge. Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker notes that the phrase may have originated from this practice, as at this time "cutting off someone's nose was the prototypical act of spite." The expression has since become a blanket term for (often unwise) self-destructive actions motivated purely by anger or desire for revenge.

The Origin Cited: en.wikipedia.org .
error

Report Error

Do you see anything wrong?

Share your idioms

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

Submit An Idiom

Make a Donation!

Help us update and complete more idioms

Donate

TODAY
to look like a drowned rat

To be very wet

Example:

Because of forgetting bringing an umbrella, I look like a drowned rat when it rains.

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates!

Darkmode