| 单词 | give him an inch and he'll take an ell |
| 释义 | > as lemmasgive him an inch and he'll take an ell b. figurative. Contrasted with inch, span, etc.; esp. in proverbial phrase, give him an inch and he'll take an ell: meaning that undue advantage will be taken of a slight concession. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [phrase] > take undue advantage give him an inch and he'll take an ell1546 1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. ix. sig. Lv Ye lyked..better an ynche of your wyll, Than an ell of your thrifte. 1580 H. Gifford Posie of Gilloflowers i. sig. G Whereas shee tooke an inche of liberty before, tooke an Ell afterwardes. 1633 G. Herbert Church Porch in Temple (ad fin.) Lifes poore span Make not an ell by trifling in thy wo. 1643 E. Bowles Mysterie Iniquitie 40 That gave but a Yard, they tooke an Ell. 1653 Z. Bogan Medit. Mirth Christian Life 305 Have a care of taking an ell, when you have but an inch allowed you. 1798 Anti-Jacobin 2 July 278/2 Tho' they still took an ell, when we gave them an inch. < as lemmas |
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