"Giving them enough rope to hang themselves with"

[Tha-Flash]

What does this mean?

Is it like being fair with someone or lenient?

[terambulan]

a. It means to let a person dig themselves a deep hole (by telling lots of lies) then push them in and fill in the hole on top of them.

b. Give a horse its head (loosening reins) let it gallop.....then pull it up to a stop.

c. Let a dog run on an extendable lead then pull it back in.

d. Pretend to believe a persons lies when you can/will prove them wrong.

[JockSporran]

Are you sure this is the right expression? The version I know is: 'Give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves', which means give rebellious people enough freedom and they'll f*ck themselves up.

[squarebear]

Yes I think Jock is closest.

[Tha-Flash]

Ahh I get it now I think, thank you!

[middsco]

The correct phrase is: give them enough rope and they will hang themselves.

Let's say someone is spreading lies about you and is calling you a liar. If you give them enough rope you basically let them get away with it. You make no attempt to the correct the lies and when confronted you don't respond. Eventually the real liar will tell one lie too many and expose himself or herself as the real liar. When that happens they are said to have hung themselves.