[dig] {oneself} into a hole

to do something that gets oneself stuck into a difficulty

The exact origin of the idiom "dig oneself into a hole" is unclear. However, the phrase's metaphorical meaning is derived from the literal act of digging a hole in the ground. When someone digs a hole, they go deeper and deeper into the ground, making it progressively harder to climb out. Overtime, it has become a widely recognized expression in English to describe the self-imposed difficulties or problems that arise from one's own actions or choices.

His only regret, it appears, is digging a hole for himself by answering questions in the first instance.
The party has really dug itself into a hole with its economic policies.
By repeatedly lying to his friends, he dug himself into a hole of mistrust and alienation, making it difficult to rebuild those relationships.
The company's CEO made a series of ill-advised business decisions that dug the company into a financial hole, leading to its eventual bankruptcy.
With each failed attempt to meet deadlines, the student dug themselves into a hole of academic struggle and stress, finding it harder to catch up.