| gen. |
научи дурака богу молиться, он и лоб разобьёт (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. OED Alexander Demidov) |
