To get stuck because of your own choices.
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To trap yourself with your own choices until no good option is left.
When you paint yourself into a corner, each decision seemed fine on its own, but together they removed every way out.
The image is literal — you paint the floor, step backward, and end up with wet paint on all sides.
"Bite off More than You Can Chew"
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Take on more work than you can actually handle
"Dig Yourself Into a Hole"
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Make your situation worse with each thing you do
"Paint Yourself Into a Corner"
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Remove your own options through your own choices