give sb enough rope to hang oneself
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British pronunciation/ɡˈɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ɪnˈʌf ɹˈəʊp tə hˈaŋ wɒnsˈɛlf/
American pronunciation/ɡˈɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ɪnˈʌf ɹˈoʊp tə hˈæŋ wʌnsˈɛlf/
01

to give someone an opportunity to act freely with the intention of hurting them

What is the origin of the idiom "give someone enough rope to hang oneself" and when to use it?

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The idiom "give someone enough rope to hang oneself" originates from the world of criminal justice and execution. In the past, a condemned person was given a length of rope to serve as the means of their execution, typically hanging. The idiom is used to convey the idea that when someone is provided with the freedom to make their own choices and decisions, especially when they are prone to making mistakes or poor judgment, they might eventually end up in a self-destructive situation. It is often used to describe situations where one person allows another to take actions that will lead to their own downfall or failure, often by demonstrating poor judgment or making bad decisions.

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