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Explaining “Give him an inch and he will take a mile”
Anwar Kareem 27/10/2024, 08:54English.me team member
What does it mean?
This phrase means that if you give someone a small amount of freedom or a little favor, they may take advantage and demand much more than you intended to give.
Tone
Cautionary
Origin
The phrase is believed to originate from the 16th century or earlier. Its earliest form is believed to be "Give him an inch and he'll take an ell," with "ell" being an old measure of length. The modern version substitutes "mile" for "ell" to give it a more understandable and dramatic impact.
Examples of usage
- I told John he could borrow my car for a day, and he ended up taking it for a week. Give him an inch and he will take a mile.
- She asked for a small extension on the project deadline, but she ended up delaying it by a month. It's true what they say: give her an inch, and she'll take a mile.
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