The word petard refers to a type of bomb or mine once used to break down walls and gates.
To be hoist is to be blown up.
Therefore, to be hoist by one’s own petard is to be, literally or figuratively, blown up by one’s own bomb.
The word petard refers to a type of bomb or mine once used to break down walls and gates.
To be hoist is to be blown up.
Therefore, to be hoist by one’s own petard is to be, literally or figuratively, blown up by one’s own bomb.