self-destruct

[ self-di-struhkt ]
/ ˈsɛlf dɪˈstrʌkt /

verb (used without object)

to destroy itself or oneself: The missile is built so that a malfunction will cause it to self-destruct.
to cause itself or oneself to reach a state of collapse, dysfunction, confusion, or the like: The committee is so disorganized it will probably self-destruct before it can accomplish anything.

adjective

causing something to self-destruct: a self-destruct mechanism.

Origin of self-destruct

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example sentences from the Web for self-destruct

British Dictionary definitions for self-destruct

self-destruct

verb

(intr) to explode or disintegrate automatically as a result of pre-programming the missile self-destructed
to destroy oneself, one's reputation, etc, through one's habits or actions I totally self-destructed with drugs

noun

(as modifier) hit the self-destruct button