I love that expression. Originally, it’s from Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare. I first heard it spoken by Doctor Who (maybe Matt Smith, the Eleventh doctor) on one of the episodes. I had to look it up to see what it meant. Hoist means to be lifted up. A petard is a bomb.
Hoist by Your Own Petard
“to be harmed by one’s own plan to harm someone else”
wikipedia
When your plan to cause trouble for others backfires on you
I was reminded of the phrase during an episode of Supergirl, season four. During yet another Covid-19 inspired Netflix binge, I heard good-guy-turned-villain, Manchester Black, use the line to describe his latest deadly deed.
Hoist by his own Petard:
“the bomb maker gets blown up by his own bomb”
paraphrase from supergirl
Here are two different real life, coronavirus inspired, cases in the news. They are perfect examples of being foiled by your own plan.
Doing the wrong thing, making the wrong move, getting caught and dealing with the consequences.
- NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) – The Attorney General has reached a price gouging settlement with two Tennessee brothers who collected more than 17,000 bottles of hand sanitizer.” Instead of selling it at a premium, they have donated it.
- FOX13: Police arrest Texas teen who threatened to spread coronavirus [by coughing on people]. “Police said Maradiaga’s bond was set at $20,000. Under the condition of her bond, Maradiaga was ordered to quarantine for 21 days upon her release, police said.”
And yes, you deserve that punishment.
If you set a trap for others, you’ll get caught in it yourself. Proverbs 26:27
Photo of woman wearing a paper mask by Ani Kolleshi on Unsplash
The game I call Demon Spotting developed over time as I worked through emotional entanglements and confusing break-ups. My misery became code words. Code words became mat drills. Mat drills became winning combinations. And my confusion lifted. Consider this your invitation to play. Clarity is freedom.