Idiom

Give him an inch and hell take a mile

What does "Give him an inch and hell take a mile" mean?

allow someone a small concession and they will take advantage and try to take more.

Give him an inch and hell take a mile

USA, 19th century. First seen in the journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

allow someone a small concession and they will take advantage and try to take more.

Worldwide.

  • Give Janice and inch and shell take a mile. We said she could stay in the spare room for a couple of nights but she's been here a month already.