step on a rake

verb2

1. •
   To step on the tines of a garden rake, causing the handle of the rake to rise from the ground rapidly, striking the person walking in the face.
2. •
   To fall victim to an avoidable (usually self-caused) hazard or error.

   • Our President [Franklin Roosevelt] stepped on a rake last week, and the handle hopped up and hit him in the eye. He then blamed the press for leaving the rake lying around. — 1939