enough rope, give someone
give (one) enough rope
If you give people the opportunity to do something wrong or detrimental to themselves, they will usually do it; one does not need to interfere to bring about someone's downfall. The full version is, "Give (one) enough rope, and (one) will hang (one)self." Don't interrupt him with questions. Just let him keep talking and he'll incriminate himself. Give him enough rope and see what happens.
See also: enough, give, rope
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
enough rope, give someone
Allow someone to continue on a course and then suffer its consequences. For example, The auditor knew something was wrong but decided to give the chief accountant enough rope . This expression, a shortening of enough rope to hang oneself, was already proverbial in John Ray's English Proverbs (1678).
See also: enough, give, someone
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- Give enough rope and he'll hang himself
- give him enough rope and he'll hang himself
- give somebody enough rope
- give someone
- give someone enough rope
- give (one) enough rope
- give a man enough rope and he will hang himself
- give (one) enough rope to hang (oneself)
- give someone enough rope to hang themselves
- themself