Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rod for one's back

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.94 in modern English

Syllables: rod -for one's back
IPA

26

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

2

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The means of one's own punishment or downfall.

Example Sentences

""Silcote, you are making a rod for your back in your treatment of that child. She'll live to break your heart for you.""
"Nobody is more wary of Tony Blair's record ratings and the illusion of the Prime Minister's omnipotence than Tony Blair himself. "He thinks his approval ratings are a rod for his back," says one adviser."
"I can't get over how you parents let your children run riot over you. There must be some discipline in this surely, otherwise you will make a rod for your back when they get older."

Inflected Forms

rod for one's own back (alternative) rod for one's own breech (alternative)

Phrases

hoist by one's own petard

Frequently Paired Words

hoist by one's own petard

Questions

What does rod for one's back mean?: The means of one's own punishment or downfall.

How to pronounce rod for one's back

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