paint into a corner



paint somebody/yourself into a corner

to do something that takes away all of your choices They've painted themselves into a corner by promising to announce the results of their investigation. The army painted the rebels into a corner, and the only choice they had was to fight.
See also: corner, paint

paint yourself into a corner

to do something which puts you in a very difficult situation and limits the way that you can act I've painted myself into a corner here. Having said I won't take less than £20 an hour, I can't then be seen to accept a job that pays less.
See be like watching paint dry
See also: corner, paint

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Shevaunshə-VAWN (English)Irish, English (Rare)
Murchadh-Irish, Scottish
Elfrieda-English
Polat-Turkish
Alexandrinaal-əg-zan-DREE-nə (English)Portuguese, English (Rare)
LÜTfÜ-Turkish