give a man rope enough and he will hang himself
- give a man rope enough and he will hang himself
Rope is used both literally, and figuratively—‘licence, freedom’.
1639 T. FULLER Holy War v. vii. They were suffered to have rope enough, till they had haltered themselves.
1670 J. RAY English Proverbs 148 Give a thief rope enough, and he’ll hang himself.
1698 in William & Mary College Quarterly (1950) VII. 106 The Kings prerogative..will be hard for his Successor to retrieve, though there’s a saying give Men Rope enough, they will hang themselves.
1876 TROLLOPE Prime Minister II. xvii. Give Sir Orlando rope enough and he’ll hang himself.
1941 G. BAGBY Red is for Killing x. ‘I like to build a pretty complete case before making an arrest.’.. ‘If you give a man enough rope he hangs himself.’
1968 H. CECIL No Fear or Favour xvi. ‘Judges always give a lot of rope to prisoners when they’re defending themselves, don’t they, sir?’ ‘That’s true,’ said Stokes. ‘Let’s hope he hangs himself with it,’ said the superintendent.
Proverbs new dictionary.
Look at other dictionaries:
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself — ► give a man enough rope (or plenty of rope) and he will hang himself proverb given enough freedom of action a person will bring about their own downfall. Main Entry: ↑rope … English terms dictionary
give a man plenty of rope and he will hang himself — ► give a man enough rope (or plenty of rope) and he will hang himself proverb given enough freedom of action a person will bring about their own downfall. Main Entry: ↑rope … English terms dictionary
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself — proverb given enough freedom of action a person will bring about their own downfall … Useful english dictionary
hang — see hang a thief when he’s young, and he’ll no’ steal when he’s old a creaking door hangs longest give a dog a bad name and hang him every herring must hang by its own gill give a man rope enough and he will hang himself … Proverbs new dictionary
man — see man cannot live by bread alone whatever man has done, man may do a man is as old as he feels, and a woman as old as she looks man is the measure of all things man proposes, God disposes man’s extremity is … Proverbs new dictionary
give — see give and take is fair play give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devil’s gold ring give the devil his due it is better to give than to receive give credit where credit is due give a dog a bad name and hang him … Proverbs new dictionary
enough — see enough is as good as a feast enough is enough throw dirt enough, and some will stick give a man rope enough and he will hang himself a word to the wise is enough … Proverbs new dictionary
rope — see give a man rope enough and he will hang himself never mention rope in the house of a man who has been hanged the man who has once been bitten by the snake fears every piece of rope … Proverbs new dictionary
rope — ► NOUN 1) a length of stout cord made by twisting together strands of hemp, sisal, nylon, etc. 2) a quantity of roughly spherical objects strung together: a rope of pearls. 3) (the ropes) the ropes enclosing a boxing or wrestling ring. 4) (the… … English terms dictionary
Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind … Proverbs new dictionary
