step on a rake

Definitions

1. To step on the tines of a garden rake, causing the handle of the rake to rise from the ground rapidly, striking the person walking in the face.
   literally
2. To fall victim to an avoidable (usually self-caused) hazard or error.
   idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“Our President [Franklin Roosevelt] stepped on a rake last⟳ week, and the handle⟳ hopped up and hit him in the eye. He then blamed the press⟳ for leaving the rake lying around.”

“We passed this revolving door legislation here. We have⟳ done several things we thought were to tighten⟳ the system so that we would obviate any other scandals or improprieties. It was sort⟳ of like⟳ stepping on a rake here — this thing flies up and hits you in the face⟳. We thought we had done a pretty good job.”

“Ever since Patrick Jenkin as Environment Secretary attempted a modest revision of Green Belt policy - and suffered on his own⟳ admission an experience⟳ equivalent to stepping on a rake in long grass - politicians have⟳ been wary of suggesting even minor modifications to this well established symbol of post-war British planning.”

“But having seen Wall Street step on a rake time and time again when it comes to incriminating e-mails and villainous characters, you can be fairly confident that Liborgate is going to be just as big a hit in the U.S. as it was abroad.”

“Major League Baseball has displayed a unique ability to step on a rake in recent years, with a championship team marred by a cheating scandal and a sudden change⟳ in the performance of its baseballs that the league has been unable to explain⟳.”

“Looking at the team's schedule⟳ to this point⟳ reveals signs of progress⟳ followed immediately by stepping on a rake.”

CEFR level