dig oneself into a hole

/dˈɪɡ wɒnsˈɛlf ˌɪntʊ ɐ hˈəʊl/

/dˈɪɡ wʌnsˈɛlf ˌɪntʊ ɐ hˈoʊl/

[phrase]

to dig oneself into a hole

[PHRASE]

to do something that gets oneself stuck into a difficulty

Examples

1. The party has really dug itself into a hole with its economic policies.

2. His only regret, it appears, is digging a hole for himself by answering questions in the first instance.

3. But instead of using that momentum to fly, Sega started digging itself into a hole.

4. But they were yet again doomed by another terrible start, losing their first eight games and digging themselves into a hole they couldn't get out of.