How to Pronounce "cut off your nose to spite your face"
expression
Definition
To hurt yourself in an attempt to harm someone else, often out of anger or stubbornness, even though your own situation gets worse.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈkət/ /ˈɔf/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈnoʊz/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈspaɪt/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈfeɪs
British English
kˈʌt/ /ˈɒf/ /jˈɔː/ /nˈəʊz/ /tˈuː/ /spˈaɪt/ /jˈɔː/ /fˈeɪs
Simplified Pronunciation
US
KUT-awf yor NOHZ tuh SPYTE yor FAYS
UK
KUT-of yawz NOHZ too SPYTE yaw FAYS
Listen in Context
If you quit your job just to prove a point, you could cut off your nose to spite your face.
She refused help even though it meant more work—she didn't want to cut off her nose to spite her face.
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face by ignoring your friends because you're upset.
By refusing to apologize, he's just cutting off his nose to spite his face—no one else cares.