lower yourself

lower (oneself)

To demean or degrade oneself; to do or say things that will lose the esteem or respect of others. I refuse to lower myself by engaging in a smear campaign just to win an election. I'm proud of your for not lowering yourself to trade insults with that horrid woman.See also: lower

ˈlower yourself (by doing something)

(usually used in negative sentences) behave in a way that makes other people respect you less: I wouldn’t lower myself by working for him.See also: lower