- give an inch
- concede a little bit, compromise, let up
We asked Dad to change his rule, but he wouldn't give an inch.
English Idioms. Sayings and slang .
give an inch
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give an inch — (not) budge/give an inch to refuse to change your opinion or agree to even very small changes that another person wants. I keep asking her to think again, but she won t budge an inch. He refuses to give an inch on health and safety issues.… … New idioms dictionary
give an inch — to agree to part of what someone wants or says. My ex husband never gave an inch on anything we disagreed about, even when I was right. Etymology: based on the saying give someone an inch and they ll take a mile (= if you agree to part of what… … New idioms dictionary
not give an inch — (not) budge/give an inch to refuse to change your opinion or agree to even very small changes that another person wants. I keep asking her to think again, but she won t budge an inch. He refuses to give an inch on health and safety issues.… … New idioms dictionary
Give an inch he’ll take an ell. — См. Посади свинью за стол, а она и ноги на стол … Большой толково-фразеологический словарь Михельсона (оригинальная орфография)
Inch — Inch, n. [OE. inche, unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the twelfth part, inch, ounce. See {Ounce} a weight.] [1913 Webster] 1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as among… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Inch of candle — Inch Inch, n. [OE. inche, unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the twelfth part, inch, ounce. See {Ounce} a weight.] [1913 Webster] 1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Inch of water — Inch Inch, n. [OE. inche, unche, AS. ynce, L. uncia the twelfth part, inch, ounce. See {Ounce} a weight.] [1913 Webster] 1. A measure of length, the twelfth part of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
not give an inch — not give/budge/an inch phrase to completely refuse to change your opinion or decision I’ve tried everything to persuade her but she won’t budge an inch. Thesaurus: to not change, or to refuse to change your opinionsynonym Main entry … Useful english dictionary
inch — inch1 W3S2 [ıntʃ] n [Date: 1000 1100; : Latin; Origin: uncia one twelfth ] 1.) written abbreviation in a unit for measuring length, equal to 2.54 centimetres. There are 12 inches in a foot. ▪ The curtains were an inch too short. ▪ Rainfall here… … Dictionary of contemporary English
inch — 1 /IntS/ noun (C) 1 a unit for measuring length, equal to 2.54 centimetres 2 a very small distance: A bullet thudded into the wall only inches from where I was standing. | The bus missed our car by inches. (=almost hit it) 3 enough rain or snow… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
