give him enough rope and he'll hang himself

English

Proverb

give him enough rope and he'll hang himself

1. If one gives someone enough freedom of action, they may destroy themselves by foolish actions.

Translations

proverb

Italian: dare corda sufficiente per impiccarsi Russian: заста́вь дурака́ бо́гу моли́ться, он и лоб расшибёт (zastávʹ duraká bógu molítʹsja, on i lob rasšibjót) (make a fool pray to the Lord, and he'll break his forehead), заста́вь дурака́ бо́гу моли́ться, он себе́ лоб расшибёт и други́м но́ги поотшиба́ет (zastávʹ duraká bógu molítʹsja, on sebé lob rasšibjót i drugím nógi pootšibájet) (make a fool pray to the Lord, he'll break his forehead and break other people's legs off)

See also

• cut one some slack / cut him some slack
• set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the Devil
• short leash
• spare the rod and spoil the child