YourDictionary

Dictionary Home » Phrase Meanings » cut off one's nose to spite one's face

What does "cut off one's nose to spite one's face" mean?

Injure oneself out of pique. For example, Staying home because Meg was invited first is cutting off your nose to spite your face. Similar hyperboles appeared in several Latin proverbs; in English the expression was first recorded in 1561.

link/cite print suggestion box