Bindiği dalı kesmek
English Meaning
To shoot oneself in the foot
“Bindiği dalı kesmek” in Example Sentences
Kendi şirketini kötüleyerek bindiği dalı kesiyor.
By badmouthing his own company, he is sawing off the branch he's sitting on.
Tek müşterimizi kızdırırsak bindiğimiz dalı keseriz.
If we upset our only client, we'll be cutting the branch we're sitting on.
Destekçilerini eleştirerek bindiği dalı kesiyor.
By criticising his own supporters, he's sawing off the branch he's sitting on.
Usage Note
The possessive in 'bindiği' matches the subject: 'bindiğim dalı kestim' (I cut the branch I was sitting on).
Grammar & Usage
Lit. 'to cut the branch one is sitting on'.
Cultural Context
Originates from the famous Nasreddin Hodja folk tale where he was literally sawing off the branch he was sitting on.
Keep Learning
- Advanced Idioms & Expressions flashcardsPractise “Bindiği dalı kesmek” with the Figurative Expressions words
- Participles (Sıfat-Fiiller)Grammar lesson · Verbs & Conjugation
- Possessive SuffixesGrammar lesson · Nouns & Noun Phrases
- 10 Funny Turkish Idioms That Make No Sense in EnglishGuide · read more about this topic
- Turkish-English DictionaryBrowse all words A–Z
Related Words from Advanced Idioms & Expressions
- Pireyi deve yapmakTo make a mountain out of a molehill
- Kafayı yemekTo go crazy / lose one's mind
- Gözden düşmekTo fall out of favor
- Ağzı kulaklarına varmakTo grin from ear to ear
- Ateş pahasıExtremely expensive
- Etekleri zil çalmakTo be overjoyed
- Hapı yutmakTo be in deep trouble
- İpe un sermekTo make up excuses
Practice “Bindiği dalı kesmek” with Flashcards
Advanced Idioms & Expressions
Master this word along with others in the Figurative Expressions category.