self-destruct

/ˌsɛlf.dɪˈstrʌkt/

to destroy oneself automatically

The missile had a self-destruct mechanism in case it malfunctioned.

The missile was designed to automatically destroy itself if it failed to function properly.

Technology

technical

to automatically destroy or disable something, especially a device or system, when a certain condition is met

The drone had a self-destruct feature to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

The drone was equipped with a mechanism to automatically destroy itself if captured by adversaries.

Often used in the context of military or technological systems.

informal

to cause one's own downfall or failure, often through reckless or self-destructive behavior

His self-destructive tendencies were ruining his career.

His reckless and harmful behavior was causing his professional downfall.

Used metaphorically to describe self-sabotage or harmful behavior.

Collocations

self-destruct buttona mechanism that triggers automatic destructionself-destruct mechanisma system designed to automatically destroy itself

actions that harm oneself

In technology, 'self-destruct' refers to a mechanism. In everyday language, it describes self-harm.

Always consider whether the usage is technical or metaphorical.

From 'self-' (indicating the subject performs the action) + 'destruct' (from Latin 'destruere', meaning 'to destroy').

In technical contexts, it refers to a built-in mechanism for automatic destruction. In informal contexts, it describes self-destructive behavior.

self-

indicating the subject performs the action

prefix

destruct

to destroy

root

English Dictionary