rod for one's back

Definitions

The means of one's own punishment or downfall.

idiomatic

Examples

“"Silcote, you are making a rod for your back in your treatment of that child. She'll live⟳ to break⟳ your heart for you."”

“Nobody is more wary of Tony Blair's record⟳ ratings and the illusion of the Prime Minister's omnipotence than Tony Blair himself. "He thinks his approval ratings are a rod for his back," says one adviser.”

“I can't get⟳ over how you parents let⟳ your children run⟳ riot over you. There must be some discipline in this surely, otherwise you will make⟳ a rod for your back when they get⟳ older.”

CEFR level