give (someone) an inch and (someone) (will) take an ell

give (someone) an inch and (someone) (will) take an ell

proverb If one makes concessions for someone, that will embolden them to take further advantage of one, instead of being content with what they have been given. (An "ell" is a now-obsolete unit of measurement equal to roughly 45 inches.) If you let the kids stay up later on the weekends, they'll want to do it all the time. Give them an inch and they'll take an ell. I offered the unhappy customer a refund, and she demanded that I also send out a replacement unit, free of charge. I swear, you give some people an inch and they take an ell! I helped that guy with one thing, and now he thinks I'm, like, his personal assistant. Geez, give some people an inch and they'll take an ell.

See also: an, and, ell, give, inch, take

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.