give sb enough rope to hang oneself

/ɡˈɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ɪnˈʌf ɹˈəʊp tə hˈaŋ wɒnsˈɛlf/

/ɡˈɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ɪnˈʌf ɹˈoʊp tə hˈæŋ wʌnsˈɛlf/

to give sb enough rope to hang oneself

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

Examples

1. So she gave him enough rope to hang himself.

2. So she gave him enough rope to hang himself.

3. Remember, no need to exploit his weaknesses and all that nonsense, just give him enough rope and he'll hang himself.

4. True, there wasn't always an enormous difference between letting the interviewees speak for themselves and giving them enough rope.