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Paint Oneself into a Corner

What Does "Paint Oneself into a Corner" Mean?

homeidiomsPaint Oneself into a Corner
"Paint oneself into a corner" is an English idiom. It means "to create a difficult or unfavorable situation for oneself by making unwise decisions or choices."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "paint oneself into a corner" used in a sentence:
  • By making unrealistic promises, he has painted himself into a corner and now has to deliver on them.
  • She painted herself into a corner with her excessive spending and now faces financial difficulties.
  • It's essential to consider all options carefully in negotiations to avoid painting oneself into a corner.
meaning for paint oneself into a corner

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Paint Oneself into a Corner" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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