self-destruct
verb (used without object)
to destroy itself or oneself.
had self-destructed
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past perfectof self-destruct.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But that designation came in the final weeks of the race, and only after the other two candidates had self-destructed.
From New York Times ● Jul. 7, 2021
Given a reprieve after Mario Manningham dropped a pass in the end zone, the Cowboys had self-destructed on key plays during the Giants’ final drive.
From New York Times ● Dec. 12, 2011
The union refuses to specify its wage demands yet, but they surely will not be mini-sized; Fraser declared last April that the 7% guidelines had "self-destructed."
From Time Magazine Archive
And now, in 1990, the system he helped create had self-destructed.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
