give someone enough rope en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To allow one to function unhindered, or without further overbearing oversight.
Near-synonym: cut someone some slack
- (idiomatic) To allow an enemy to function unhindered in the belief that they will end up harming or discrediting themself.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| gives someone enough rope | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| given someone enough rope | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| gave someone enough rope | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| giving someone enough rope | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Deriveds
give someone enough rope and they'll hang themself
Relateds
short leash · throw someone a rope
Synonyms
give someone enough rope and they'll hang themself · cut someone some slack