make a martyr of oneself Definition

martyr
noun

1. Someone who chooses to be put to death as an act of witness to their faith, rather than abandon his or her religious beliefs.
2. Someone who suffers or dies for their beliefs, or for a particular cause, etc.
3. colloq
Someone who suffers greatly on account of something (eg an illness, ailment or misfortune).
Example: She is a martyr to arthritis
Form: a martyr to something (usually)
4. colloq, usually derog
Someone who wishes or chooses to be or to be seen as a suffering victim, especially in circumstances which they could have chosen to avoid.

verb

martyred, martyring
1. To put someone to death as a martyr.

Derivative: martyrdom
noun

The death or suffering of a martyr.
Thesaurus: sacrifice, suffering, persecution, torment, torture, agony, ordeal; Antonym: self-gratification, indulgence.

Idiom: make a martyr of oneself

colloq
To put oneself deliberately in the position of a victim or someone who deserves sympathy or admiration for sacrificing their own happiness, comfort, etc.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon: from Latin, from Greek martus a witness.