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work against itself

[/wɜːrk əˈɡenst ɪtˈself/]
verb phrase
trabalhar contra si mesmo
1. to produce results that are opposite to what was intended; to be counterproductive or self-defeating
The policy works against itself by discouraging the very behavior it aims to promote.
A política trabalha contra si mesma ao desestimular exatamente o comportamento que pretende promover.
2. to undermine one's own goals or objectives through one's own actions
Excessive regulation works against itself by stifling innovation.
A regulação excessiva trabalha contra si mesma ao sufocar a inovação.
Synonyms
be counterproductivedefeat its own purposebackfireundermine itselfdefeat oneself
Antonyms
be productiveachieve its purposebe effective

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
trabalhar contra si mesmo
standard usage throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
trabalhar contra si mesmo
same as general Brazilian
São Paulo
trabalhar contra si mesmo
same as general Brazilian
Portugal
funcionar contra si próprio
slight preference for 'si próprio' over 'si mesmo' in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

defeat its own purpose
cut off one's nose to spite one's face
shoot oneself in the foot
bite the hand that feeds you
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