Dictionary

self-destruct en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English destruct English self-destruct From self- + destruct.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) A feature of a system whereby it destroys itself.
   • They won't take any prisoners! Activate the self-destruct!

Synonyms

autodestruct · autodestruction

self-destruct en · VERB

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English destruct English self-destruct From self- + destruct.

Meanings

1. (figuratively, usually) To destroy oneself or itself.
   • The submarine was primed to self-destruct.
   • The Ferraris pressed the self-destruct button, Lewis Hamilton lost his spot on the podium, and there were champagne moments for Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz Jr. 2019 November 17, Sarah Holt, “Verstappen wins Brazilian GP as Ferraris collide AND Gasly and Sainz claim first F1 podiums”, in CNN:
2. To destroy or greatly damage one's position in a game, in one's work or career, in one's financial or social position, etc.
   • Dating the boss is a bad move: if it goes badly, you could self-destruct.
   • If you attack with an energy level of only 30 you are going to self-destruct.

Forms

Deriveds

self-destruction

Synonyms

autodestruct

Translations (8)

ru саморазру́шиться (to destroy oneself) · fi tuhota itsensä (to destroy oneself) · ru самоликвиди́роваться (to destroy oneself) · ca autodestruir-se (to destroy oneself) · es autodestruirse (to destroy oneself) · el αυτοκαταστρέφομαι (to destroy oneself) · fr auto-détruire (to destroy oneself) · ru саморазруша́ться (to destroy oneself)