# give someone line

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-someone-line
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To allow a person more or less liberty until it is convenient to stop or check him/her.

## Examples

- Give him some line to see what he does next.
- The manager decided to give the new employee some line before checking his progress on the project.
- By giving the opposition enough line, the strategist waited for them to make a critical error before launching his final counterattack.

## Origin

The expression refers to the use of a fishing line. It originates from the practice of allowing a hooked fish to run with the bait and line before tension is applied to secure the catch.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.