“paint yourself into a corner”别理解成“把自己画在角落里”，真实含义是使自己陷入窘境 (或陷入不愉快的境地)；让自己陷入困境。

【例句】
I really painted myself into a corner by leaving this essay till the last minute!
当把这篇论文放到最后一刻的时候，我真是让自己陷入了窘境。

The candidate painted himself into a corner during the debate, having to take back several things he'd already said.
候选人在辩论期间让自己陷入了窘境，不得不收回他刚刚说过的几件事。