cut off one's nose to spite one's face
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation edit
- (US) IPA(key): /kˈʌt ˈɔf wˈʌnz nˈo͡ʊz tˈuː spˈa͡ɪt wˈʌnz fˈe͡ɪs/
- (UK) IPA(key): /kˈʌt ˈɒf wˈɒnz nˈə͡ʊz tˈuː spˈa͡ɪt wˈɒnz fˈe͡ɪs/
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb edit
cut off one's nose to spite one's face (third-person singular simple present cuts off one's nose to spite one's face, present participle cutting off one's nose to spite one's face, simple past and past participle cut off one's nose to spite one's face)
Translations edit
harm oneself as a result of trying to harm an adversary
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See also edit
Further reading edit
- “cut off one's nose to spite one's face”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “cut off your nose to spite your face”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
- “cut off your nose to spite your face”, in Collins English Dictionary.