ir por lana y volver trasquilado

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Spanish

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Etymology

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Literally, go for wool and come back shorn/sheared.

Verb

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ir por lana y volver trasquilado (first-person singular present voy por lana y vuelvo trasquilado, first-person singular preterite fui por lana y volví trasquilado, past participle ido por lana y vuelto trasquilado)

  1. (idiomatic) to backfire (to fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune)
    Synonym: salir el tiro por la culata
  2. (idiomatic) hoist by one's own petard
  3. (idiomatic) to get more than one bargained for

Alternative forms

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