History Main / HoistbyhisOwnPetard

A "petard" is an explosive device (basically a bucket full of gunpowder) intended to demolish gates and fortified walls; being too close to the detonating explosive could well toss the engineers who planted it into the air. Thus, this term literally means "Blown into the air by one's own bomb" and [[ZerothLawOfTropeExamples was first coined]] by Creator/WilliamShakespeare in ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'', though [[BeamMeUpScotty the original quote was]] "hoist ''with'' his own petard".

The villain's own weapon or malicious plan is the cause of thier downfall and/or death. This could be something as big as a MadScientist who creates monsters and/or a WeaponOfMassDestruction getting killed by thier own creation, or as small as a prankster accidentally setting off thier own trap.

The villain's own weapon or malicious plan is the cause of his downfall and/or death. This could be something as big as a MadScientist who creates monsters and/or a WeaponOfMassDestruction getting killed by his own creation, or as small as a prankster accidentally setting off his own trap.

!!'''As this is often a DeathTrope, all Spoilers will be unmarked ahead. Beware.'''

Can be the result of DidntThinkThisThrough, but not necessarily. Compare NiceJobFixingItVillain and BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame. The StreisandEffect is a subtrope of this, when the petard is censorship.

A "petard" is an explosive device (basically a bucket full of gunpowder) intended to demolish gates and fortified walls; being too close to the detonating explosive could well toss the engineers who planted it into the air. Thus, this term literally means "Blown into the air by one's own bomb" and [[ZerothLawOfTropeExamples was first coined]] by Creator/WilliamShakespeare in ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}''.

A "petard" is an explosive device (basically a bucket full of gunpowder) intended to demolish gates and fortified walls; being too close to the detonating explosive could well toss the engineers who planted it into the air. Thus, this term literally means "Blown into the air by one's own bomb" and [[ZerothLawOfTropeExamples was first coined]] by Creator/WilliamShakespeare in ''{{Hamlet}}''.

A "petard" is an explosive device (basically a bucket full of gunpowder) intended to demolish gates and fortified walls; being too close to the detonating explosive could well toss the engineers who planted it into the air. Thus, this term literally means "Blown into the air by one's own bomb" and [[ZerothLawOfTropeExamples was first coined]] by Creator/WilliamShakespeare in {{Hamlet}}.

[[quoteright:244:[[Anime/DragonBallZ http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/FriezaOwnAttack_2703.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:244:[-Sorry. Finger slipped.-] ]]

[[quoteright:259:[[ComicBook/PlasticMan http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bear_trap1_4.jpg]]]]

[[quoteright:244:[[Anime/DragonBallZ http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/FriezaOwnAttack_2703.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:244:[-Sorry. Finger slipped.-] ]]

* HoistByHisOwnPetard/{{Music}}

If an EldritchAbomination, GodOfEvil or otherwise supernatural evil entity gets [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu Punched Out]] by the same powers it gave, you have a FaustianRebellion in action. If it's an AncientConspiracy, GovernmentConspiracy or other organisation whose AppliedPhlebotinum is empowering the one who will bring them down, you have a PhlebotinumRebel. If it's done by making him hit himself, it's StopHittingYourself. If it's a {{Mook}}, long abused, who finally snaps and turns against him at the last moment, it's TheDogBitesBack. If it's a VideoGame boss whose attacks can be redirected back at them ([[PlayingTennisWithTheBoss tennis-style]] or otherwise), it's TacticalSuicideBoss. GoneHorriblyRight is a sub-trope where a SuperPrototype works too well, destroying the person or persons who created it and/or threatening the world/galaxy/universe. If it's a vehicle that you just stole, it's VehicularTurnabout.

-->-- '''Laertes''', ''[[{{Theatre/Hamlet}} Hamlet]]''

* [[{{HoistByHisOwnPetard/Advertising}} Advertising]]

* [[{{HoistByHisOwnPetard/Film}} Film]]
* [[{{HoistByHisOwnPetard/Literature}} Literature]]

* [[{{HoistByHisOwnPetard/Music}} Music]]

* [[{{HoistByHisOwnPetard/Radio}} Radio]]

* [[{{HoistByHisOwnPetard/Theatre}} Theatre]]
* [[{{HoistByHisOwnPetard/Toys}} Toys]]

If an EldritchAbomination, GodOfEvil or otherwise supernatural evil entity gets [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu Punched Out]] by the same powers it gave, you have a FaustianRebellion in action. If it's an AncientConspiracy, GovernmentConspiracy or other organisation whose AppliedPhlebotinum is empowering the one who will bring them down, you have a PhlebotinumRebel. If it's a {{Mook}}, long abused, who finally snaps and turns against him at the last moment, it's TheDogBitesBack. If it's a VideoGame boss whose attacks can be redirected back at them ([[PlayingTennisWithTheBoss tennis-style]] or otherwise), it's TacticalSuicideBoss. GoneHorriblyRight is a sub-trope where a SuperPrototype works too well, destroying the person or persons who created it and/or threatening the world/galaxy/universe. If it's a vehicle that you just stole, it's VehicularTurnabout.

Can be the result of DidntThinkThisThrough, but not necessarily. Compare NiceJobFixingItVillain and BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame. The StreisandEffect is a subtrope of this, when the petard is censorship.

If an EldritchAbomination, GodOfEvil or otherwise supernatural evil entity gets [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu Punched Out]] by the same powers it gave, you have a FaustianRebellion in action. If it's an AncientConspiracy, GovernmentConspiracy or other organisation whose AppliedPhlebotinum is empowering the one who will bring them down, you have a PhlebotinumRebel. If it's a {{Mook}}, long abused, who finally snaps and turns against him at the last moment, it's TheDogBitesBack. If it's a VideoGame boss whose attacks can be redirected back at them, it's TacticalSuicideBoss. GoneHorriblyRight is a sub-trope where a SuperPrototype works too well, destroying the person or persons who created it and/or threatening the world/galaxy/universe. If it's a vehicle that you just stole, it's VehicularTurnabout.

Compare NiceJobFixingItVillain and BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame. The StreisandEffect is a subtrope of this, when the petard is censorship.

->''I am justly killed with mine [[PoisonedWeapons own treachery]].''

Compare NiceJobFixingItVillain and BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame (a video game variation on this). The StreisandEffect is a subtrope of this, when the petard is censorship.

In media intended for young children, it is often a DeathByIrony that releases the hero from the unpleasantness of actually killing their enemy; a more specific type of {{Self-Disposing Villain}}.

If an EldritchAbomination, GodOfEvil or otherwise supernatural evil entity gets [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu Punched Out]] by the same powers it gave, you have a FaustianRebellion in action. If it's an AncientConspiracy, GovernmentConspiracy or other organisation whose AppliedPhlebotinum is empowering the one who will bring them down, you have a PhlebotinumRebel. If it's a {{Mook}}, long abused, who finally snaps and turns against him at the last moment, it's TheDogBitesBack. It's it's a VideoGame boss whose attacks can be redirected back at them, it's TacticalSuicideBoss. GoneHorriblyRight is a sub-trope where a SuperPrototype works too well, destroying the person or persons who created it and/or threatening the world/galaxy/universe. If it's a vehicle that you just stole, it's VehicularTurnabout.

If an EldritchAbomination, GodOfEvil or otherwise supernatural evil entity gets [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu Punched Out]] by the same powers it gave, you have a FaustianRebellion in action. If it's an AncientConspiracy, GovernmentConspiracy or other organisation whose AppliedPhlebotinum is empowering the one who will bring them down, you have a PhlebotinumRebel. If it's a {{Mook}}, long abused, who finally snaps and turns against him at the last moment, it's TheDogBitesBack. It's it's a VideoGame boss whose attacks can be redirected back at them, it's TacticalSuicideBoss. GoneHorriblyRight is a sub-trope where a SuperPrototype works too well, destroying the person or persons who created it and/or threatening the world/galaxy/universe.

The villain's own weapon or malicious plan is the cause of his downfall and/or death. This could be something as big as a MadScientist who creates monsters and/or a WeaponOfMassDestruction getting killed by his own creation, or as small as prankster accidentally setting off his own trap.

[[quoteright:244:[[Manga/DragonBall http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/FriezaOwnAttack_2703.png]]]]

A "petard" is an explosive device (basically a bucket full of gunpowder) intended to demolish gates and fortified walls; being too close to the detonating explosive could well toss the engineer into the air. Thus, this term literally means "Blown into the air by one's own bomb" and [[ZerothLawOfTropeExamples was first coined]] by Creator/WilliamShakespeare in {{Hamlet}}.