phrase request - Is there an idiomatic way to say "go to the path of no way out"?

It seems that only "no way out" or "there's no way out" is common used, but I want to emphasize the action of entrapping/entangling oneself in the path of no way out. "Down to the rabbit hole" is close, but at least you can go out in another hole if you really want. (Not sure if this is true in the story). Depending on the context, its meaning can be:

• you will never get out


• the only way to get out is to go backward destroy everything because it has been doing wrong at the first place

Is there an idiomatic way to say this, or am I going to the path of no way out here?

^{FYI: What are other ways to say "going on the path that leads nowhere"? This question emphasizes on the non-awareness of the situation.}

Answer

To be "up a creek" or "up a creek without a paddle" or "up s*** creek" is to be stuck in an undesirable place with no way out. This isn't necessarily the subject's fault but is generally considered to be a no-win situation.

To "paint oneself into a corner" is to have, by one's own actions/decisions, trapped oneself with no way out without ruining what's been done so far. With this idiom, the fault is laid upon the painter. It may come off as more of an embarrassment than a no-win solution, since escape is easy but requires re-doing everything—and getting paint all over you.

Going "down the rabbit hole" suggests going or being in an increasingly complex situation, with the suggestion that the time or effort remaining is unknown and prone to expand.

The OP asks for "the only way to get out is to go backward destroy everything you've done and start fresh ... because you have chosen the wrong method at the first step" which fits the "paint yourself into a corner" phrase perfectly. However, it doesn't have the finality of the OP's "you will never get out" requirement, though it does imply "you will never get out unscathed/(covered in paint)."

Personally, when I see someone start off wrong and come to a dead end—for example, in a logical debate—I'll use the "you've painted yourself into a corner" phrase.

When someone is in a bad situation they can't get out of, I'll use the "up (the/s***) creek without a paddle." (Or, if I'm being snarky and think they'll get the alluded idiom, I might say "I bet you wish you'd brought a paddle, huh?")