worst enemy

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A person who is extremely hostile and causes you the most harm or trouble.

   Grammar: Usually used with a possessive adjective: my worst enemy, his worst enemy.

   Patterns

   • someone's worst enemy
   • be your own worst enemy

   She trusted him completely, but he turned out to be her worst enemy.

   The two politicians had once been allies, but now each saw the other as his worst enemy.

   Even his worst enemy would admit that he was a brilliant speaker.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurative

   A person or thing that causes the most difficulty or harm to a particular goal or group.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'of' to specify the group or thing affected: the worst enemy of progress.

   Patterns

   • the worst enemy of something
   • be someone's worst enemy

   Inflation is the worst enemy of small businesses.

   Procrastination is the worst enemy of students who want to succeed.

   The worst enemy of good health is a lack of sleep.

3. 3phraseidiomfigurative

   Used to say that someone's own actions or attitudes cause their problems.

   Grammar: Almost always in the pattern 'be your own worst enemy'.

   Patterns

   • be your own worst enemy

   She's talented, but she's her own worst enemy because she never finishes anything.

   If you keep doubting yourself, you'll be your own worst enemy.

   He is his own worst enemy: he argues with everyone who tries to help him.

Common combinations

be your own worst enemy

Stop being your own worst enemy and ask for help when you need it.

someone's worst enemy

After the scandal, his worst enemy was the journalist who had once been his friend.

the worst enemy of something

Poverty is the worst enemy of education in many rural areas.

make a worst enemy of someone

By betraying her trust, he made a worst enemy of someone who could have helped him.

even your worst enemy

Even your worst enemy would feel sorry for you after such bad luck.

Synonyms and how they differ

nemesis

A more formal or literary word for a powerful enemy who seems impossible to defeat; 'worst enemy' is more everyday and can also be used figuratively.

archenemy

Suggests a long-standing, chief enemy, often in stories; 'worst enemy' is broader and can describe anyone who harms you most.

adversary

A neutral, formal word for an opponent in a contest or conflict; 'worst enemy' carries stronger emotional force.

Opposites

Commonly confused: worst enemy or worst enemy vs. worse enemy?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “worst enemy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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