自縄自縛
じじょうじばく
noun / expression
getting caught in one's own trap; being a victim of one's own actions
1.
getting caught in one's own trap; binding oneself with one's own rope
A four-character idiom describing the situation of being constrained or harmed by one's own words, rules, or actions. Literally, 'binding oneself with one's own rope.'
自縄自縛に陥った。
They fell into a trap of their own making.
厳しいルールを作りすぎて自縄自縛になった。
They made the rules too strict and ended up bound by them.
あの政治家は自分の過去の発言に縛られ、自縄自縛の状態に陥っている。
That politician is bound by their own past statements and caught in a trap of their own making.
A four-character compound (四字熟語) composed of 自 (self) + 縄 (rope) + 自 (self) + 縛 (binding). Literally means 'tying oneself up with one's own rope.' Used when someone's own words, rules, or actions backfire and restrict them.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自縄自縛に陥る — to fall into self-imposed constraints
- 自縄自縛の状態 — a state of being trapped by one's own doing
- 自縄自縛になる — to become constrained by one's own actions
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 墓穴を掘る — to dig one's own grave; emphasizes causing one's own downfall
- 自業自得 — reaping what you sow; karmic consequence of one's own deeds
- 身から出た錆 — trouble brought upon oneself; consequences of one's own actions