ir por lana y volver trasquilado

Spanish

Etymology

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

Verb

ir por lana y volver trasquilado

1. (idiomatic) to backfire (to fail in a manner that brings down further misfortune)
2. (idiomatic) hoist by one's own petard
3. (idiomatic) to get more than one bargained for

Alternative forms

• ir por lana y salir trasquilado

Synonyms

• salir el tiro por la culata