give someone enough rope

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

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Verb

give someone enough rope (third-person singular simple present gives one enough rope, present participle giving one enough rope, simple past gave one enough rope, past participle given one enough rope)

1. (idiomatic) To allow one to function unhindered, or without further overbearing oversight.
2. (idiomatic) To allow an enemy to function unhindered in the belief that they will end up harming or discrediting themself.

Synonyms

• cut someone some slack / cut him some slack

Derived terms

• give him enough rope and he'll hang himself

See also

• short leash