Give him an inch and hell take a mile

Meaning

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

Examples

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.

Where did it originate?

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

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

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About the Author

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Give him an inch and hell take a mile