self-handicap

English

Etymology

self- +‎ handicap

Verb

self-handicap (third-person singular simple present self-handicaps, present participle self-handicapping, simple past and past participle self-handicapped)

1. (intransitive, psychology) To avoid making an effort, or to introduce deliberate obstacles to one's success, so as to prevent potential failure from hurting one's self-esteem.

Noun

self-handicap (plural self-handicaps)

1. (psychology) The act of one who self-handicaps, or an obstacle thus introduced.