APAD: Give someone enough rope, he will hang himself

Meaning:

   The proverb suggests that if you provide someone with the freedom to act as

   they please, they will eventually bring about their own downfall or ruin. The

   "rope" in the proverb symbolizes the freedom or opportunity given to the

   person, and "hang himself" refers to the negative consequences or mistakes

   they will make.

 

Background:

   This proverb's origin can be traced back to the idea of capital punishment by

   hanging, which was once a common method of execution. In a literal sense,

   giving a person enough rope would allow them to tie the noose and hang

   themselves. However, the proverb has evolved to have a figurative meaning,

   focusing on the notion that individuals who are given excessive freedom or

   leeway are more likely to make poor choices or engage in self-destructive

   behavior.

 

   The proverb highlights the importance of caution and restraint when granting

   others power or independence, as it suggests that unrestrained individuals

   may ultimately harm themselves with the freedom they've been given. It serves

   as a reminder to be mindful of the consequences that may arise from enabling

   others to act without appropriate limitations.

 

- englishdaily626.com [edited]

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My buddy Bill seemed smug about doing nothing after being laid off three years

ago. He once crowed before his party guests: "Sacked Chinese programmers are

known to butcher their bosses and jump off buildings. Others might have abused

their families or sunk into depression. I've done none of those and am fit as a

fiddle and happy as a clam. How much more can one ask?" We dubbed him "the

heartless and lungless," a Chinese idiom to say no amount of rope seems enough

for him to hang himself.