give someone enough rope

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

1. (idiomatic) To allow one to function unhindered, or without further overbearing oversight.

   Near-synonym: cut someone some slack

2. (idiomatic) To allow an enemy to function unhindered in the belief that they will end up harming or discrediting themself.

   Synonym: give someone enough rope and they'll hang themself

• short leash