What does it mean to give someone some rope?
give someone (enough) rope in American English to allow someone freedom of action in the expectation that that person will overreach himself or herself.
What does the saying give them enough rope to hang themselves mean?
give someone enough rope to hang himself or herself in British English. to allow someone to accomplish his or her own downfall by his or her own foolish acts.
How do you give someone enough rope to hang themselves?
To give one the freedom or opportunity to do something wrong or detrimental to oneself, because one will usually do it. The saying expresses the belief that someone does not need to interfere to bring about one’s downfall. Don’t interrupt the suspect with questions, just let him keep talking.
Who said give enough rope?
John Ray
Background: John Ray included this expression in his 1670 book of proverbs indicating that it was in regular use in England at that time. The first known use of it in a form recognizable to the modern version is in The History of The Holy War (1639) by English historian Thomas Fuller.
What is the meaning of the phrase give the devil his due?
give the devil his due. Give credit to what is good in a disagreeable or disliked person. For example, I don’t like John’s views on education, but give the devil his due, he always has something important to say, or I don’t like what the new management has done, but give the devil his due, sales have improved. [
What does hard nose mean?
being tough, stubborn
Definition of hard-nosed 1 : being tough, stubborn, or uncompromising. 2 : hardheaded sense 2, tough-minded.
What is the meaning of this idiom completely at sea?
deeply confused
Someone who’s at sea is completely lost or deeply confused. When you’re giving a speech, the last thing you want is to appear to be at sea, stumbling over your words and losing your place.
What do you understand by the term evening of life?
euphemism Old age; the final period of one’s life. I’m not interested in getting married again now that I’m in the evening of life.
What is the meaning of phrase fits and starts?
To do something in “fits and starts” is to do it intermittently or sporadically: “Martina has been working on her master’s thesis in fits and starts; she needs to work on it consistently.”
What is the meaning of long rope?
Meaning. to let someone commit mistakes. Examples.
What is the meaning of the idiom an AXE to grind?
A selfish aim
A selfish aim or motive, as in The article criticized the new software, but the author had an ax to grind, as its manufacturer had fired his son. This frequently used idiom comes from a story by Charles Miner, published in 1811, about a boy who was flattered into turning the grindstone for a man sharpening his ax.