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sign own death warrant

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sign one's own death warrant

Fig. to do something (knowingly) that will most likely result in severe trouble. (As if one were ordering one's own execution.) I wouldn't ever gamble a large sum of money. That would be signing my own death warrant. The killer signed his own death warrant when he walked into the police station and gave himself up.

See also: death, own, sign, warrant

sign your own death warrant

to do something which will stop you from being successful

Usage notes: A death warrant is an official document which orders someone to be killed as a punishment.

The company signed its own death warrant by choosing to remain independent rather than going into partnership.

See sign the pledge

See also: death, own, sign, warrant