World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariesdarsi la zappa sui piedi
Pronunciation / Transliteration: ˈdarsi la ˈdzappa sui ˈpjedi
"Criticando il capo, ti sei dato la zappa sui piedi."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To inadvertently do something that causes harm to your own interests, business, or plan.
"By raising prices right before competitors launched discounts, the company shot itself in the foot." - 2
To act in a way that undermines one's own success or position through poor decision-making.
"He argued with the judge, completely shooting himself in the foot during the hearing."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the mid-20th century in American English, this idiom likely stems from military contexts involving accidental firearm discharges. Over time, the phrase evolved metaphorically to describe any inadvertent action by an individual or organization that severely damages their own interests or objectives.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Shoot oneself in the foot"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Shoot oneself in the foot" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
se tirer une balle dans le pied
Transliteration: se ti-re yn bal dans lə pje
"En refusant l'aide, il s'est tiré une balle dans le pied."
sich ins eigene Bein schießen
Transliteration: zɪç ɪns ˈaɪɡənə baɪn ˈʃiːsn̩
"Mit dieser Entscheidung hat er sich ins eigene Bein geschossen."
darsi la zappa sui piedi
Transliteration: ˈdarsi la ˈdzappa sui ˈpjedi
"Criticando il capo, ti sei dato la zappa sui piedi."
dispararse en el pie
Transliteration: dispaˈrarse en el pje
"Al renunciar sin plan, te disparaste en el pie."
dar um tiro no próprio pé
Transliteration: daɾ ũ ˈtiɾu nu ˈpɾɔpɾiu pɛ
"Recusar a proposta foi dar um tiro no próprio pé."
अपने पैर पर कुल्हाड़ी मारना
Transliteration: apne pair par kulhadi marna
"बिना सोचे-समझे इस्तीफा देकर उसने अपने पैर पर कुल्हाड़ी मार ली।"
搬起石头砸自己的脚
Transliteration: bān qǐ shí tou zá zì jǐ de jiǎo
"他这样做简直是搬起石头砸自己的脚。"
제 발등을 찍다
Transliteration: je baldeung-eul jikda
"거짓말을 하다가 결국 제 발등을 찍고 말았다."
墓穴を掘る
Transliteration: boketsu o horu
"弁解すればするほど墓穴を掘る結果になった。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all Italian termsA barracks or building intended for the accommodation of soldiers, usually located within a fortified place.
A secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Shoot oneself in the foot"
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