self-destruct

[ self-di-struhkt ]

verb (used without object)

1. to destroy itself or oneself:

   The missile is built so that a malfunction will cause it to self-destruct.

2. to cause itself or oneself to reach a state of collapse, dysfunction, confusion, or the like:

   The committee is so disorganized it will probably self-destruct before it can accomplish anything.

adjective

1. causing something to self-destruct:

   a self-destruct mechanism.

self-destruct

verb

1. intr to explode or disintegrate automatically as a result of pre-programming

   the missile self-destructed

2. to destroy oneself, one's reputation, etc, through one's habits or actions

   I totally self-destructed with drugs

noun

1. ( as modifier )

   hit the self-destruct button

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-destruct¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

Exeter, who had taken an early lead through Manu Feyi-Waboso, had no answer to the home momentum as the match progressed, pressing the self-destruct button by giving up penalty after penalty.

From BBC

“I wrote it about a relationship I had with someone who was abusing substances. It was hard to kind of see somebody just self-destruct like that,” Shaboozey said.

From Los Angeles Times

Straight-faced Democrats contend the self-destruct amendment —they don’t call it a poison pill — is necessary because of policy “conflicts” between the legislation and the initiative.

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists have discovered that the most widely-used class of antifungals in the world cause pathogens to self-destruct.

From Science Daily

Rocky asteroids cause sky-high streaks as they self-destruct in Earth’s atmosphere with some frequency.

From New York Times