<P> It was not uncommon in the Middle Ages for a person to cut off the nose of another for various reasons, including punishment from the state, or as an act of revenge . Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker notes that the phrase may have originated from this practice, as at this time "cutting off someone's nose was the prototypical act of spite ." </P> <P> The expression has since become a blanket term for (often unwise) self - destructive actions motivated purely by anger or desire for revenge . For example, if a man was angered by his wife, he might burn down their house to punish her; however, burning down her house would also mean burning down his, along with all of their possessions . </P> <P> In the 1796 edition of Grose's Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, "He cut off his nose to be revenged of his face" is defined as "one who, to be revenged on his neighbor, has materially injured himself ." The word "face" is used here in the sense of "honor ." </P> <Ul> <Li> The Embargo Act of 1807, passed by the United States Congress in protest against British and French interference in U.S. shipping . The Act had the side - effect of prohibiting nearly all U.S. exports and most imports, greatly disrupting the U.S. economy . </Li> </Ul>

Cut your nose to spite your face example