give somebody enough rope
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
give a man enough rope and he will hang himself
proverb 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. Don't interrupt him with questions. Just let him keep talking and he'll incriminate himself. Give a man enough rope and he will hang himself.
See also: and, enough, give, hang, he, himself, man, rope, will
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
give somebody enough ˈrope (and he’ll/she’ll ˈhang himself/herself)
(saying) deliberately give somebody enough freedom for them to make a mistake and get into trouble: The question was vague, giving the candidate enough rope to hang herself.See also: enough, give, rope, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- Give enough rope and he'll hang himself
- give him enough rope and he'll hang himself
- give someone
- give someone enough rope
- enough rope, give someone
- 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