181．给某人的绳子

［词语］to give sb. rope

to give sb. plenty of rope

［含义］让某人自由行动；放任某人

［趣释］【言语喻指】成语“给某人绳子”（to give sb. rope）是to give him enough rope and he'll hang himself（放任他，使他自取灭亡）的一部分，源出英语谚语“给傻瓜足够绳子，他就会上吊”。（Give a fool rope enough, and he will hang himself.）意思是听任傻瓜胡闹，他就会自取灭亡。现在，人们用“给某人绳子”（to give sb. rope）喻指让某人自由行动、放任某人，往往带有积极的含义。

［运用］Johnny is always stealing and hasn't been caught. But give him enough rope, he will bang himself.约翰尼老是偷东西，一直没有被抓住。不过，让他这样下去，总有一天会被人抓住的。

I appeal to you, give this man rope—he's doing our work splendidly． 我求你，放手让这个人干吧——他给我们办事办得很出色。

If you give this man some rope, you will see if he's capable of looking after himself． 你给他一些自由，就可以知道他能照顾好自己。