foul one's own nest

Verb

foul one's own nest (third-person singular simple present fouls one's own nest, present participle fouling one's own nest, simple past and past participle fouled one's own nest)

1. To damage one's environment.
   • Provide them with a mansion, and they will rip out the plumbing, write obscenities on the walls, and generally foul up their own nest.1992, Roy Masters, Secrets of a Parallel Universe, →ISBN, page 142
   • Whatever we do to nature and the environment we will eventually do to ourselves. If we continually foul our own nest, we will pay the price.1998, Max Anders, What You Need to Know About Defending Your Faith in 12 Lessons, →ISBN, page 135
2. To hurt one's own interests, especially to damage the reputation of one's self, family or group.
   • He had concluded, 'Arbitrary violence against them now would be to foul your own nest; mar at the outset the future that is your destiny.2007, Roger Taylor, Farnor, →ISBN, page 200
   • In giving vent to these baseless slanders you have now fouled your own nest and sought to discredit the very judgment which you and your two distinguished colleagues have just rendered.”2010, Peter Maguire, Law and War, →ISBN, page 135

   Synonyms:

   shoot oneself in the foot