अपने ही हाथों से बिगड़ना

/əpneː hiː haːtʰõː seː bɪɡəɾnaː/
verb phrase★Intermediate— to ruin one's own chances◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
To cause harm to oneself through one's own actions, often due to poor judgment, impulsiveness, or self-sabotage.
Literal Meaning
To ruin/destroy by one's own hands.
Literal Breakdown
अपनेone's own+हीonly+हाथोंhands+सेby/with+बिगड़नाto ruin/destroy
◇ Mental Image
Imagine someone physically ruining something with their own hands, symbolizing self-inflicted damage to one's life, career, or relationships.
◈ When to Use
A student fails an exam because they spent the night before partying instead of studying. Their friends might say, 'उसने अपने ही हाथों से अपना भविष्य बिगाड़ लिया।' (He ruined his future by his own actions.)
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the Hindi cultural emphasis on personal responsibility and the consequences of one's actions. It is often used in moral or cautionary contexts to highlight the importance of self-control and foresight.
informal

To deliberately or carelessly harm one's own interests, reputation, or opportunities through one's own actions.

उसने गुस्से में आकर अपने ही हाथों से नौकरी गंवा ली।

In a fit of anger, he ruined his job by his own actions.

उसने अपने ही हाथों से अपने रिश्ते को खराब कर लिया।

He ruined his relationship by his own actions.

💡

Often used when someone's own behavior or decisions lead to negative consequences, despite having the power to avoid them.

💡Pro Tip

When to use this idiom

Use this idiom when someone's actions—often impulsive or careless—directly lead to negative consequences. It highlights the irony of self-inflicted harm.

⚡Gold Rule

Idiom vs. Literal Meaning

This is an idiom. The literal meaning ('to ruin by one's own hands') is close to the figurative meaning, but the idiom emphasizes personal responsibility for the harm caused.

📖Word Origin

This idiom is a compound phrase in Hindi where 'अपने ही हाथों से' (by one's own hands) modifies 'बिगड़ना' (to ruin/destroy). The phrase emphasizes personal agency in causing harm. The literal sense of 'hand' here implies direct action, while 'बिगड़ना' suggests deterioration or failure.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in personal, professional, or social contexts where someone's actions directly lead to their own downfall. It implies a sense of self-sabotage or poor judgment.

Word Breakdown

अपने
one's own
pronoun
+
ही
only/emphatic particle
particle
+
हाथों
hands
noun
+
से
by/with
postposition
+
बिगड़ना
to ruin/destroy
verb
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