self-destruct

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

self- +‎ destruct

Verb[edit]

self-destruct (third-person singular simple present self-destructs, present participle self-destructing, simple past and past participle self-destructed)

  1. (usually figuratively) To destroy oneself or itself.
    The submarine was primed to self-destruct.
  2. To destroy or greatly damage one's position in a game, in one's work or career, in one's financial or social position, etc.
    If you attack with an energy level of only 30 you are going to self-destruct.
    Dating the boss is a bad move: if it goes badly, you could self-destruct.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]