self-sabotage

Or self sab·o·tage

[self-sab-uh-tahzh]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or habit of behaving in a way that interferes directly with one’s own goals, well-being, relationships, etc., as by comfort eating, procrastination, or lashing out at others.
If a line worker physically assaults a supervisor, that’s self-sabotage, as there’s every likelihood of dismissal followed by criminal prosecution.

verb (used with or without object)

to behave, especially habitually or compulsively, in a way that interferes directly with one’s own goals, well-being, relationships, etc..
She’ll do OK for a while, and then all of a sudden she’ll self-sabotage by procrastinating and making excuses, and her dreams come to a screeching halt—again.
Your husband is self-sabotaging the relationship with his gambling.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of self-sabotage¹

First recorded in 1930–35

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

His efforts to control his career and get recognition as Paul Reubens sometimes amounted to self-sabotage.

From

It was a form of self-harm and self-sabotage.

From

The report described this as "an act of collective self-sabotage", warning the health service was "increasingly overwhelmed with preventable diseases and accidents".

From

At 45, I was a doctor with acquired autoimmune disorder, a long trail of self-sabotage and no idea how to be loved.

From

There is also the self-sabotage.

From

self-rule self-sacrifice

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