they destroyed themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they destroyed themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or a group caused their own downfall or harm through their actions. Example: "In their quest for power, they destroyed themselves, leaving behind a legacy of chaos and regret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Politically, they destroyed themselves".

The New York Times

Sometimes, like Fatima, they destroyed themselves in the process".

The New York Times - Books

And they destroyed themselves as well".

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Individuals, whose interests—such as the family and the state should be in harmony with one another, set those interests in opposition to one another; in so doing, however, they destroy themselves and thereby undo the very opposition they set up.

SEP

You can see these future innovators in the film, such as the main student Will Bales, a son of an engineer who builds incredibly powerful robots - sometimes so powerful they destroy themselves before disabling their opponent.

Huffington Post

Sapiens would disappear in the foreseeable future either because they had appropriated such mind-making powers as to become unrecognisable or because they had destroyed themselves through environmental catastrophe.

The Guardian - Books

In doing so, they in fact destroyed themselves".

The New York Times

Our pumps like pumping liquids and if they try to pump foam, they will destroy themselves," said Dave Wiltshire of Thames Water.

The Guardian

They are destroying themselves".

The New York Times

It's strictly biological - they will destroy themselves".

The Guardian - Film

"They're destroying themselves," he says about the kids later.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a more vivid or figurative expression, such as "they dug their own grave", might be more impactful.

Common error

Ensure that the subject and object of the verb are indeed the same entity. Avoid using "they destroyed themselves" when referring to actions that primarily impacted others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they destroyed themselves" functions as a statement indicating that a group's actions resulted in their own downfall. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English, illustrated through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they destroyed themselves" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey that a group's actions led to their own ruin. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides examples from news, scientific, and wiki sources. While alternatives like "they brought about their own ruin" or "they self-destructed" exist, the original phrase is a clear and effective way to assign responsibility for a negative outcome. Be mindful to use it when the subject and object are the same entity, ensuring accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they self-destructed

A more direct and common synonym, highlighting the internal nature of the destruction.

they sabotaged themselves

Indicates that they intentionally or unintentionally undermined their own success.

they brought about their own ruin

Emphasizes the catastrophic outcome of their actions.

they undermined their own position

Focuses on weakening their authority or stability through their actions.

they caused their own demise

Focuses on the eventual end or termination resulting from their actions.

they sealed their own fate

Implies that their actions have made their negative outcome inevitable.

they were the architects of their own downfall

Highlights that their destruction was not accidental, but meticulously made by themselves.

they were consumed by their own actions

Indicates that their deeds became overwhelming leading to their end.

they dug their own grave

A more figurative expression, suggesting that they created the conditions for their own failure.

they shot themselves in the foot

An idiomatic expression implying a foolish act that harms oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "they destroyed themselves" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that a group's own actions led to their downfall. For example: "In their quest for power, "they destroyed themselves"."

What can I say instead of "they destroyed themselves"?

Alternatives include "they brought about their own ruin", "they self-destructed", or "they caused their own demise", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they destroyed themselves"?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically correct. The reflexive pronoun "themselves" correctly refers back to the subject "they", indicating that the action of destroying was directed back at the subject.

What is the difference between "they destroyed themselves" and "they were destroyed"?

"They destroyed themselves" indicates a self-inflicted action, whereas "they were destroyed" suggests an external force caused their destruction.