paint oneself into a corner

动词 v.
中文释义
英 /ˈpeɪnt wʌnˈsɛlf ˈɪntʊ ə ˈkɔːnə(ɹ)/    美 /ˈpeɪnt wʌnˈsɛlf ˈɪntu ə ˈkɔɹnɚ/

英文释义

动词 v.
  1. To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions. idiomatic
    — The Coens [Coen brothers] write their screenplays in a manner as unorthodox as the films that result from them. […] They paint themselves into a corner, plotwise, then perform whatever literary gymnastics are necessary in order to paint themselves out.

词形变化

paints oneself into a corner present,singular,third-person painting oneself into a corner participle,present painted oneself into a corner participle,past painted oneself into a corner past

词源

From the idea that a person painting the floor of a room may inadvertently apply the paint over the whole floor and trap themselves in a corner away from any exit, so that to leave the room the person has no choice but to step on the fresh paint and ruin it.
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