cut off your nose to spite your face
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: cut off one's nose to spite one's face
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To pursue revenge in a way that would damage oneself more than the object of one's anger.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Imported from Wikipedia “English-language idioms” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29), pending review.
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review.
Common questions
What does “cut off your nose to spite your face” mean?
To pursue revenge in a way that would damage oneself more than the object of one's anger.
Is “cut off your nose to spite your face” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.