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The English language is full of unique expressions like "cut off your nose to spite your face" but what does that phrase mean? Chances are you were a little confused when you heard it used the first time, but don't worry! We'll help you figure out the meaning of the phrase and give you plenty of examples of how to use it.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “cut off your nose to spite your face" mean?

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  1. Usually, when people use the phrase, they give it as a warning—don't cut off your nose to spite your face. It means resist the urge to act in anger or haste before thinking of the consequences. You might see it in a conversation like this:[1]
    • Person 1: “Are you going to give the presentation even though you don't have all the data results back?”
      Person 2: “I'll be fine! I'll just wing it. Hopefully, the data ends up supporting what I say.”
    • Person 1: “You're better off waiting until you have all the information. You don't want to cut off your nose to spite your face.”
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Section 2 of 3:

How do I use "cut off your nose to spite your face"?

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  1. You could tell them "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face" as a reminder that they'll only make their problems worse. It's also a gentle reminder for them to keep their best interests in mind. You might use the phrase when:
    • You're trying to calm down someone who's upset and trying to get even.
    • You're telling someone to pause and think before acting.
    • You're encouraging the person to focus on the bigger picture and their overall happiness.
  2. Sometimes, you'll hear someone use the phrase if they feel like they don't have any options and doing nothing would have consequences. You might hear it like this:
    • "I may have cut off my nose to spite my face, but it's out of my hands now. I'll just have to live with the results."[2]
    • "I wasn't here when jobs were being assigned, but I guess I have to take what's left or I'd be cutting off my nose to spite my face."
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Section 3 of 3:

Where did "cut off your nose to spite your face" come from?

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About This Article

Tristen Bonacci
Co-authored by:
English Teacher
This article was co-authored by Tristen Bonacci and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Tristen Bonacci is an English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix. This article has been viewed 36,220 times.
32 votes - 94%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: December 31, 2024
Views: 36,220
Categories: English Vocabulary
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 36,220 times.

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