A less morbid equivalent of the idiom “Giving someone enough rope to hang himself”
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What may be a less morbid equivalent of the idiom "Giving someone enough rope to hang himself"?
In other words, an idiom for empowering someone with a capability that they might, through ignorance, misuse to self-detrimental effect.
The motivation for an alternative is the professional setting, where it's not appropriate to allude to suicide!
idioms idiom-requests
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
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Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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up vote
1
down vote
favorite
What may be a less morbid equivalent of the idiom "Giving someone enough rope to hang himself"?
In other words, an idiom for empowering someone with a capability that they might, through ignorance, misuse to self-detrimental effect.
The motivation for an alternative is the professional setting, where it's not appropriate to allude to suicide!
idioms idiom-requests
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
New contributor
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
If you're worried about alluding to suicide in your professional environment, you might also want to avoid taking this action in the first place. It's generally poor team play to enable a teammate in this way.
– Ian MacDonald
Dec 4 at 19:29
1
Not regarded as morbid. Just a figure of speech. Cherish the English language for its colour, rather than strangling it with bland weasel words.
– David
Dec 4 at 19:55
2
@David On what basis can you say it's not regarded as morbid? Using death by hanging as a metaphor for an unrelated situation very much suits the definition of the term. To want to avoid allusions to death by hanging in a formal business setting does not seem at all in opposition to "cherishing the English language's colour", since there are plenty of other colourful expressions which are not appropriate to all audiences.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:54
1
@RobbieGoodwin Its allusion to death by hanging (and to suicide depending on how you interpret it) is direct and specific, in contrast to some usages of death/injury imagery in idioms. Contrast against Omar's suggestion of "dig their own grave", which alludes to death in a more abstract sense, or "shoot yourself in the foot" which is a specific description of self-harm but softened by the absurdity of it. "Giving them a gun with which they can shoot themselves in the foot" would be an example of a made-up expression with the same meaning.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:58
2
@RobbieGoodwin Your rude tone is not helpful or welcome. Plenty of additional context has been provided, so if you remain fixated on a choice of word in the title, then your input is not relevant.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 22:30
|
show 5 more comments
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
What may be a less morbid equivalent of the idiom "Giving someone enough rope to hang himself"?
In other words, an idiom for empowering someone with a capability that they might, through ignorance, misuse to self-detrimental effect.
The motivation for an alternative is the professional setting, where it's not appropriate to allude to suicide!
idioms idiom-requests
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
New contributor
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
What may be a less morbid equivalent of the idiom "Giving someone enough rope to hang himself"?
In other words, an idiom for empowering someone with a capability that they might, through ignorance, misuse to self-detrimental effect.
The motivation for an alternative is the professional setting, where it's not appropriate to allude to suicide!
idioms idiom-requests
idioms idiom-requests
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
New contributor
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
New contributor
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
edited Dec 5 at 6:31
Kris
32.3k541116
32.3k541116
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
New contributor
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
asked Dec 4 at 19:01
Paul Hendry
83
83
New contributor
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Paul Hendry is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
If you're worried about alluding to suicide in your professional environment, you might also want to avoid taking this action in the first place. It's generally poor team play to enable a teammate in this way.
– Ian MacDonald
Dec 4 at 19:29
1
Not regarded as morbid. Just a figure of speech. Cherish the English language for its colour, rather than strangling it with bland weasel words.
– David
Dec 4 at 19:55
2
@David On what basis can you say it's not regarded as morbid? Using death by hanging as a metaphor for an unrelated situation very much suits the definition of the term. To want to avoid allusions to death by hanging in a formal business setting does not seem at all in opposition to "cherishing the English language's colour", since there are plenty of other colourful expressions which are not appropriate to all audiences.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:54
1
@RobbieGoodwin Its allusion to death by hanging (and to suicide depending on how you interpret it) is direct and specific, in contrast to some usages of death/injury imagery in idioms. Contrast against Omar's suggestion of "dig their own grave", which alludes to death in a more abstract sense, or "shoot yourself in the foot" which is a specific description of self-harm but softened by the absurdity of it. "Giving them a gun with which they can shoot themselves in the foot" would be an example of a made-up expression with the same meaning.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:58
2
@RobbieGoodwin Your rude tone is not helpful or welcome. Plenty of additional context has been provided, so if you remain fixated on a choice of word in the title, then your input is not relevant.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 22:30
|
show 5 more comments
1
If you're worried about alluding to suicide in your professional environment, you might also want to avoid taking this action in the first place. It's generally poor team play to enable a teammate in this way.
– Ian MacDonald
Dec 4 at 19:29
1
Not regarded as morbid. Just a figure of speech. Cherish the English language for its colour, rather than strangling it with bland weasel words.
– David
Dec 4 at 19:55
2
@David On what basis can you say it's not regarded as morbid? Using death by hanging as a metaphor for an unrelated situation very much suits the definition of the term. To want to avoid allusions to death by hanging in a formal business setting does not seem at all in opposition to "cherishing the English language's colour", since there are plenty of other colourful expressions which are not appropriate to all audiences.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:54
1
@RobbieGoodwin Its allusion to death by hanging (and to suicide depending on how you interpret it) is direct and specific, in contrast to some usages of death/injury imagery in idioms. Contrast against Omar's suggestion of "dig their own grave", which alludes to death in a more abstract sense, or "shoot yourself in the foot" which is a specific description of self-harm but softened by the absurdity of it. "Giving them a gun with which they can shoot themselves in the foot" would be an example of a made-up expression with the same meaning.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:58
2
@RobbieGoodwin Your rude tone is not helpful or welcome. Plenty of additional context has been provided, so if you remain fixated on a choice of word in the title, then your input is not relevant.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 22:30
1
1
If you're worried about alluding to suicide in your professional environment, you might also want to avoid taking this action in the first place. It's generally poor team play to enable a teammate in this way.
– Ian MacDonald
Dec 4 at 19:29
If you're worried about alluding to suicide in your professional environment, you might also want to avoid taking this action in the first place. It's generally poor team play to enable a teammate in this way.
– Ian MacDonald
Dec 4 at 19:29
1
1
Not regarded as morbid. Just a figure of speech. Cherish the English language for its colour, rather than strangling it with bland weasel words.
– David
Dec 4 at 19:55
Not regarded as morbid. Just a figure of speech. Cherish the English language for its colour, rather than strangling it with bland weasel words.
– David
Dec 4 at 19:55
2
2
@David On what basis can you say it's not regarded as morbid? Using death by hanging as a metaphor for an unrelated situation very much suits the definition of the term. To want to avoid allusions to death by hanging in a formal business setting does not seem at all in opposition to "cherishing the English language's colour", since there are plenty of other colourful expressions which are not appropriate to all audiences.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:54
@David On what basis can you say it's not regarded as morbid? Using death by hanging as a metaphor for an unrelated situation very much suits the definition of the term. To want to avoid allusions to death by hanging in a formal business setting does not seem at all in opposition to "cherishing the English language's colour", since there are plenty of other colourful expressions which are not appropriate to all audiences.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:54
1
1
@RobbieGoodwin Its allusion to death by hanging (and to suicide depending on how you interpret it) is direct and specific, in contrast to some usages of death/injury imagery in idioms. Contrast against Omar's suggestion of "dig their own grave", which alludes to death in a more abstract sense, or "shoot yourself in the foot" which is a specific description of self-harm but softened by the absurdity of it. "Giving them a gun with which they can shoot themselves in the foot" would be an example of a made-up expression with the same meaning.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:58
@RobbieGoodwin Its allusion to death by hanging (and to suicide depending on how you interpret it) is direct and specific, in contrast to some usages of death/injury imagery in idioms. Contrast against Omar's suggestion of "dig their own grave", which alludes to death in a more abstract sense, or "shoot yourself in the foot" which is a specific description of self-harm but softened by the absurdity of it. "Giving them a gun with which they can shoot themselves in the foot" would be an example of a made-up expression with the same meaning.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:58
2
2
@RobbieGoodwin Your rude tone is not helpful or welcome. Plenty of additional context has been provided, so if you remain fixated on a choice of word in the title, then your input is not relevant.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 22:30
@RobbieGoodwin Your rude tone is not helpful or welcome. Plenty of additional context has been provided, so if you remain fixated on a choice of word in the title, then your input is not relevant.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 22:30
|
show 5 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
More of a phrase than an idiom, but...
set someone up to fail / set someone up for failure
From Wikipedia (I know, I know... but it's the best source I could find):
Setting up to fail is a well-established workplace bullying tactic.[6][7][8] One technique is to overload with work, while denying the victim the authority to handle it and over-interfering;[9] another is the withholding of the information necessary to succeed.[10]
If a person puts another individual (usually a subordinate) in a
stressful situation in which failure is almost certain, this may be an
aspect of bullying wherein the outcome can then be used to discredit
and blame the victim.[11] Sometimes, this may involve the bully
covertly sabotaging and undermining an objective that may have
otherwise been achievable. This type of bullying may be the result of
the projection of the bully's own feelings of inadequacy onto the
victim.[12]
There can be cases where an employee is set up to fail because the
stated goals of the task are considered harmful to the organization;
an internal investigation is one example. Institutions may protect
themselves by "going through the motions" of a sham investigation in
which the findings conveniently fail to find any evidence of
wrongdoing by the authorities involved with setting up the
investigation.
From the Harvard Business Review:
That was specifically about employees and bosses, but it's possible for parents/children, co-workers, teammates... any number of relationships. Even yourself!
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
I think this comes pretty close, though may not be quite the thing.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 6:34
1
I don't think this is too bad, but there is clearly someone downvoting answers to this question in a rather cavalier manner. The comic strip may have annoyed him.
– David
Dec 5 at 13:02
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
As I have already implied in my comment, I see nothing morbid about “giving someone enoucgh rope to hang themselves”, and I do not think there is an exact equivalent.
However a form of anodyne words to convey the requirements of the poster using an idiomatic expression, might be
To encourage someone to bite off more than he can chew
This differs from a straight idiom-for-idiom equivalence, in that my addition of “to encourage” is needed to cover the act of “giving”, satisfying the poster’s “empowering” (his words, not mine). His reference to “a capacity”, expressed by “enough rope” in the original idiom, implies surplus capacity — a limited amount of rope would be enough, but more is given to allow “misuse to self-detrimental effect” (in the words of the poster). I would suggest that “more than he can chew” embodies the same idea of “surplus capacity” (“capability” in the words of the poster) with the “self-detrimental effect” being merely implied — indigestion? choking? embarassment at having to spit the meat out? — but clearly there.
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
This fails to answer the question. "He bit off more than he could chew" implies that the hapless person didn't just have the ability to do something detrimental, he actually did it. We don't say things like "we had him bite...". Moreover, "bit off more than he could chew" implies that his action landed him with responsibility to do more than he could do. The OP might or might not want that implication.
– Rosie F
Dec 5 at 6:48
@RosieF — I think your comment ignores the context of the request. I have modified my answer to clarify why I think it might serve the poster's needs. Please read it and consider withdrawing your downvote.
– David
Dec 5 at 8:49
You know, if you disagree with the premise of an OP it's perfectly acceptable to say so in an answer but to then add the following gratuitous comment(unless the act of chewing is considered vulgar with its association with gum).is just being unnecessarily sarcastic and catty. Now, if it had been witty that would be a separate matter.
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 5 at 11:30
@Mari-LouA — Sigh. Deleted. (But surely the English usage of the word "catty" is only in relation to women.)
– David
Dec 5 at 13:00
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
More of a phrase than an idiom, but...
set someone up to fail / set someone up for failure
From Wikipedia (I know, I know... but it's the best source I could find):
Setting up to fail is a well-established workplace bullying tactic.[6][7][8] One technique is to overload with work, while denying the victim the authority to handle it and over-interfering;[9] another is the withholding of the information necessary to succeed.[10]
If a person puts another individual (usually a subordinate) in a
stressful situation in which failure is almost certain, this may be an
aspect of bullying wherein the outcome can then be used to discredit
and blame the victim.[11] Sometimes, this may involve the bully
covertly sabotaging and undermining an objective that may have
otherwise been achievable. This type of bullying may be the result of
the projection of the bully's own feelings of inadequacy onto the
victim.[12]
There can be cases where an employee is set up to fail because the
stated goals of the task are considered harmful to the organization;
an internal investigation is one example. Institutions may protect
themselves by "going through the motions" of a sham investigation in
which the findings conveniently fail to find any evidence of
wrongdoing by the authorities involved with setting up the
investigation.
From the Harvard Business Review:
That was specifically about employees and bosses, but it's possible for parents/children, co-workers, teammates... any number of relationships. Even yourself!
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
I think this comes pretty close, though may not be quite the thing.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 6:34
1
I don't think this is too bad, but there is clearly someone downvoting answers to this question in a rather cavalier manner. The comic strip may have annoyed him.
– David
Dec 5 at 13:02
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
More of a phrase than an idiom, but...
set someone up to fail / set someone up for failure
From Wikipedia (I know, I know... but it's the best source I could find):
Setting up to fail is a well-established workplace bullying tactic.[6][7][8] One technique is to overload with work, while denying the victim the authority to handle it and over-interfering;[9] another is the withholding of the information necessary to succeed.[10]
If a person puts another individual (usually a subordinate) in a
stressful situation in which failure is almost certain, this may be an
aspect of bullying wherein the outcome can then be used to discredit
and blame the victim.[11] Sometimes, this may involve the bully
covertly sabotaging and undermining an objective that may have
otherwise been achievable. This type of bullying may be the result of
the projection of the bully's own feelings of inadequacy onto the
victim.[12]
There can be cases where an employee is set up to fail because the
stated goals of the task are considered harmful to the organization;
an internal investigation is one example. Institutions may protect
themselves by "going through the motions" of a sham investigation in
which the findings conveniently fail to find any evidence of
wrongdoing by the authorities involved with setting up the
investigation.
From the Harvard Business Review:
That was specifically about employees and bosses, but it's possible for parents/children, co-workers, teammates... any number of relationships. Even yourself!
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
I think this comes pretty close, though may not be quite the thing.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 6:34
1
I don't think this is too bad, but there is clearly someone downvoting answers to this question in a rather cavalier manner. The comic strip may have annoyed him.
– David
Dec 5 at 13:02
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
More of a phrase than an idiom, but...
set someone up to fail / set someone up for failure
From Wikipedia (I know, I know... but it's the best source I could find):
Setting up to fail is a well-established workplace bullying tactic.[6][7][8] One technique is to overload with work, while denying the victim the authority to handle it and over-interfering;[9] another is the withholding of the information necessary to succeed.[10]
If a person puts another individual (usually a subordinate) in a
stressful situation in which failure is almost certain, this may be an
aspect of bullying wherein the outcome can then be used to discredit
and blame the victim.[11] Sometimes, this may involve the bully
covertly sabotaging and undermining an objective that may have
otherwise been achievable. This type of bullying may be the result of
the projection of the bully's own feelings of inadequacy onto the
victim.[12]
There can be cases where an employee is set up to fail because the
stated goals of the task are considered harmful to the organization;
an internal investigation is one example. Institutions may protect
themselves by "going through the motions" of a sham investigation in
which the findings conveniently fail to find any evidence of
wrongdoing by the authorities involved with setting up the
investigation.
From the Harvard Business Review:
That was specifically about employees and bosses, but it's possible for parents/children, co-workers, teammates... any number of relationships. Even yourself!
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
More of a phrase than an idiom, but...
set someone up to fail / set someone up for failure
From Wikipedia (I know, I know... but it's the best source I could find):
Setting up to fail is a well-established workplace bullying tactic.[6][7][8] One technique is to overload with work, while denying the victim the authority to handle it and over-interfering;[9] another is the withholding of the information necessary to succeed.[10]
If a person puts another individual (usually a subordinate) in a
stressful situation in which failure is almost certain, this may be an
aspect of bullying wherein the outcome can then be used to discredit
and blame the victim.[11] Sometimes, this may involve the bully
covertly sabotaging and undermining an objective that may have
otherwise been achievable. This type of bullying may be the result of
the projection of the bully's own feelings of inadequacy onto the
victim.[12]
There can be cases where an employee is set up to fail because the
stated goals of the task are considered harmful to the organization;
an internal investigation is one example. Institutions may protect
themselves by "going through the motions" of a sham investigation in
which the findings conveniently fail to find any evidence of
wrongdoing by the authorities involved with setting up the
investigation.
From the Harvard Business Review:
That was specifically about employees and bosses, but it's possible for parents/children, co-workers, teammates... any number of relationships. Even yourself!
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
answered Dec 4 at 22:34
miltonaut
1,5451918
1,5451918
I think this comes pretty close, though may not be quite the thing.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 6:34
1
I don't think this is too bad, but there is clearly someone downvoting answers to this question in a rather cavalier manner. The comic strip may have annoyed him.
– David
Dec 5 at 13:02
add a comment |
I think this comes pretty close, though may not be quite the thing.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 6:34
1
I don't think this is too bad, but there is clearly someone downvoting answers to this question in a rather cavalier manner. The comic strip may have annoyed him.
– David
Dec 5 at 13:02
I think this comes pretty close, though may not be quite the thing.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 6:34
I think this comes pretty close, though may not be quite the thing.
– Kris
Dec 5 at 6:34
1
1
I don't think this is too bad, but there is clearly someone downvoting answers to this question in a rather cavalier manner. The comic strip may have annoyed him.
– David
Dec 5 at 13:02
I don't think this is too bad, but there is clearly someone downvoting answers to this question in a rather cavalier manner. The comic strip may have annoyed him.
– David
Dec 5 at 13:02
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
As I have already implied in my comment, I see nothing morbid about “giving someone enoucgh rope to hang themselves”, and I do not think there is an exact equivalent.
However a form of anodyne words to convey the requirements of the poster using an idiomatic expression, might be
To encourage someone to bite off more than he can chew
This differs from a straight idiom-for-idiom equivalence, in that my addition of “to encourage” is needed to cover the act of “giving”, satisfying the poster’s “empowering” (his words, not mine). His reference to “a capacity”, expressed by “enough rope” in the original idiom, implies surplus capacity — a limited amount of rope would be enough, but more is given to allow “misuse to self-detrimental effect” (in the words of the poster). I would suggest that “more than he can chew” embodies the same idea of “surplus capacity” (“capability” in the words of the poster) with the “self-detrimental effect” being merely implied — indigestion? choking? embarassment at having to spit the meat out? — but clearly there.
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
This fails to answer the question. "He bit off more than he could chew" implies that the hapless person didn't just have the ability to do something detrimental, he actually did it. We don't say things like "we had him bite...". Moreover, "bit off more than he could chew" implies that his action landed him with responsibility to do more than he could do. The OP might or might not want that implication.
– Rosie F
Dec 5 at 6:48
@RosieF — I think your comment ignores the context of the request. I have modified my answer to clarify why I think it might serve the poster's needs. Please read it and consider withdrawing your downvote.
– David
Dec 5 at 8:49
You know, if you disagree with the premise of an OP it's perfectly acceptable to say so in an answer but to then add the following gratuitous comment(unless the act of chewing is considered vulgar with its association with gum).is just being unnecessarily sarcastic and catty. Now, if it had been witty that would be a separate matter.
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 5 at 11:30
@Mari-LouA — Sigh. Deleted. (But surely the English usage of the word "catty" is only in relation to women.)
– David
Dec 5 at 13:00
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
As I have already implied in my comment, I see nothing morbid about “giving someone enoucgh rope to hang themselves”, and I do not think there is an exact equivalent.
However a form of anodyne words to convey the requirements of the poster using an idiomatic expression, might be
To encourage someone to bite off more than he can chew
This differs from a straight idiom-for-idiom equivalence, in that my addition of “to encourage” is needed to cover the act of “giving”, satisfying the poster’s “empowering” (his words, not mine). His reference to “a capacity”, expressed by “enough rope” in the original idiom, implies surplus capacity — a limited amount of rope would be enough, but more is given to allow “misuse to self-detrimental effect” (in the words of the poster). I would suggest that “more than he can chew” embodies the same idea of “surplus capacity” (“capability” in the words of the poster) with the “self-detrimental effect” being merely implied — indigestion? choking? embarassment at having to spit the meat out? — but clearly there.
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
This fails to answer the question. "He bit off more than he could chew" implies that the hapless person didn't just have the ability to do something detrimental, he actually did it. We don't say things like "we had him bite...". Moreover, "bit off more than he could chew" implies that his action landed him with responsibility to do more than he could do. The OP might or might not want that implication.
– Rosie F
Dec 5 at 6:48
@RosieF — I think your comment ignores the context of the request. I have modified my answer to clarify why I think it might serve the poster's needs. Please read it and consider withdrawing your downvote.
– David
Dec 5 at 8:49
You know, if you disagree with the premise of an OP it's perfectly acceptable to say so in an answer but to then add the following gratuitous comment(unless the act of chewing is considered vulgar with its association with gum).is just being unnecessarily sarcastic and catty. Now, if it had been witty that would be a separate matter.
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 5 at 11:30
@Mari-LouA — Sigh. Deleted. (But surely the English usage of the word "catty" is only in relation to women.)
– David
Dec 5 at 13:00
add a comment |
up vote
-2
down vote
up vote
-2
down vote
As I have already implied in my comment, I see nothing morbid about “giving someone enoucgh rope to hang themselves”, and I do not think there is an exact equivalent.
However a form of anodyne words to convey the requirements of the poster using an idiomatic expression, might be
To encourage someone to bite off more than he can chew
This differs from a straight idiom-for-idiom equivalence, in that my addition of “to encourage” is needed to cover the act of “giving”, satisfying the poster’s “empowering” (his words, not mine). His reference to “a capacity”, expressed by “enough rope” in the original idiom, implies surplus capacity — a limited amount of rope would be enough, but more is given to allow “misuse to self-detrimental effect” (in the words of the poster). I would suggest that “more than he can chew” embodies the same idea of “surplus capacity” (“capability” in the words of the poster) with the “self-detrimental effect” being merely implied — indigestion? choking? embarassment at having to spit the meat out? — but clearly there.
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
As I have already implied in my comment, I see nothing morbid about “giving someone enoucgh rope to hang themselves”, and I do not think there is an exact equivalent.
However a form of anodyne words to convey the requirements of the poster using an idiomatic expression, might be
To encourage someone to bite off more than he can chew
This differs from a straight idiom-for-idiom equivalence, in that my addition of “to encourage” is needed to cover the act of “giving”, satisfying the poster’s “empowering” (his words, not mine). His reference to “a capacity”, expressed by “enough rope” in the original idiom, implies surplus capacity — a limited amount of rope would be enough, but more is given to allow “misuse to self-detrimental effect” (in the words of the poster). I would suggest that “more than he can chew” embodies the same idea of “surplus capacity” (“capability” in the words of the poster) with the “self-detrimental effect” being merely implied — indigestion? choking? embarassment at having to spit the meat out? — but clearly there.
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
edited Dec 5 at 12:58
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
answered Dec 4 at 22:54
David
5,02941235
5,02941235
This fails to answer the question. "He bit off more than he could chew" implies that the hapless person didn't just have the ability to do something detrimental, he actually did it. We don't say things like "we had him bite...". Moreover, "bit off more than he could chew" implies that his action landed him with responsibility to do more than he could do. The OP might or might not want that implication.
– Rosie F
Dec 5 at 6:48
@RosieF — I think your comment ignores the context of the request. I have modified my answer to clarify why I think it might serve the poster's needs. Please read it and consider withdrawing your downvote.
– David
Dec 5 at 8:49
You know, if you disagree with the premise of an OP it's perfectly acceptable to say so in an answer but to then add the following gratuitous comment(unless the act of chewing is considered vulgar with its association with gum).is just being unnecessarily sarcastic and catty. Now, if it had been witty that would be a separate matter.
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 5 at 11:30
@Mari-LouA — Sigh. Deleted. (But surely the English usage of the word "catty" is only in relation to women.)
– David
Dec 5 at 13:00
add a comment |
This fails to answer the question. "He bit off more than he could chew" implies that the hapless person didn't just have the ability to do something detrimental, he actually did it. We don't say things like "we had him bite...". Moreover, "bit off more than he could chew" implies that his action landed him with responsibility to do more than he could do. The OP might or might not want that implication.
– Rosie F
Dec 5 at 6:48
@RosieF — I think your comment ignores the context of the request. I have modified my answer to clarify why I think it might serve the poster's needs. Please read it and consider withdrawing your downvote.
– David
Dec 5 at 8:49
You know, if you disagree with the premise of an OP it's perfectly acceptable to say so in an answer but to then add the following gratuitous comment(unless the act of chewing is considered vulgar with its association with gum).is just being unnecessarily sarcastic and catty. Now, if it had been witty that would be a separate matter.
– Mari-Lou A
Dec 5 at 11:30
@Mari-LouA — Sigh. Deleted. (But surely the English usage of the word "catty" is only in relation to women.)
– David
Dec 5 at 13:00
This fails to answer the question. "He bit off more than he could chew" implies that the hapless person didn't just have the ability to do something detrimental, he actually did it. We don't say things like "we had him bite...". Moreover, "bit off more than he could chew" implies that his action landed him with responsibility to do more than he could do. The OP might or might not want that implication.
– Rosie F
Dec 5 at 6:48
This fails to answer the question. "He bit off more than he could chew" implies that the hapless person didn't just have the ability to do something detrimental, he actually did it. We don't say things like "we had him bite...". Moreover, "bit off more than he could chew" implies that his action landed him with responsibility to do more than he could do. The OP might or might not want that implication.
– Rosie F
Dec 5 at 6:48
@RosieF — I think your comment ignores the context of the request. I have modified my answer to clarify why I think it might serve the poster's needs. Please read it and consider withdrawing your downvote.
– David
Dec 5 at 8:49
@RosieF — I think your comment ignores the context of the request. I have modified my answer to clarify why I think it might serve the poster's needs. Please read it and consider withdrawing your downvote.
– David
Dec 5 at 8:49
You know, if you disagree with the premise of an OP it's perfectly acceptable to say so in an answer but to then add the following gratuitous comment
(unless the act of chewing is considered vulgar with its association with gum). is just being unnecessarily sarcastic and catty. Now, if it had been witty that would be a separate matter.– Mari-Lou A
Dec 5 at 11:30
You know, if you disagree with the premise of an OP it's perfectly acceptable to say so in an answer but to then add the following gratuitous comment
(unless the act of chewing is considered vulgar with its association with gum). is just being unnecessarily sarcastic and catty. Now, if it had been witty that would be a separate matter.– Mari-Lou A
Dec 5 at 11:30
@Mari-LouA — Sigh. Deleted. (But surely the English usage of the word "catty" is only in relation to women.)
– David
Dec 5 at 13:00
@Mari-LouA — Sigh. Deleted. (But surely the English usage of the word "catty" is only in relation to women.)
– David
Dec 5 at 13:00
add a comment |
Paul Hendry is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
If you're worried about alluding to suicide in your professional environment, you might also want to avoid taking this action in the first place. It's generally poor team play to enable a teammate in this way.
– Ian MacDonald
Dec 4 at 19:29
1
Not regarded as morbid. Just a figure of speech. Cherish the English language for its colour, rather than strangling it with bland weasel words.
– David
Dec 4 at 19:55
2
@David On what basis can you say it's not regarded as morbid? Using death by hanging as a metaphor for an unrelated situation very much suits the definition of the term. To want to avoid allusions to death by hanging in a formal business setting does not seem at all in opposition to "cherishing the English language's colour", since there are plenty of other colourful expressions which are not appropriate to all audiences.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:54
1
@RobbieGoodwin Its allusion to death by hanging (and to suicide depending on how you interpret it) is direct and specific, in contrast to some usages of death/injury imagery in idioms. Contrast against Omar's suggestion of "dig their own grave", which alludes to death in a more abstract sense, or "shoot yourself in the foot" which is a specific description of self-harm but softened by the absurdity of it. "Giving them a gun with which they can shoot themselves in the foot" would be an example of a made-up expression with the same meaning.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 20:58
2
@RobbieGoodwin Your rude tone is not helpful or welcome. Plenty of additional context has been provided, so if you remain fixated on a choice of word in the title, then your input is not relevant.
– Paul Hendry
Dec 4 at 22:30