cut someone some slack
Meaning
Be less strict or critical; allow someone a break or extra tolerance in a situation.
Origin
From sailing: “slack” is loose rope; to “cut slack” meant to loosen/give more line. Figuratively it came to mean giving someone more leeway or relief from pressure.
Notes
Casual and common; often used to ask others to be more forgiving or less demanding. Can sound mildly reproachful (“Don’t be so hard on them”).
Examples
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Can you cut me some slack? I’ve been working double shifts all week.
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The teacher cut him some slack after hearing about his family emergency.
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Let’s cut her some slack—she’s still learning the new software.
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My boss cut me some slack on the deadline when the server crashed.
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Cut your brother some slack; he didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed pattern: cut + (someone) + some slack. Tense changes (cut/cutting) are fine; object can be a pronoun (cut her some slack). Rarely used without “some.”
Synonyms
- go easy on someone
- give someone a break
- be lenient
- take it easy on someone
Antonyms
- be hard on someone
- give someone a hard time
- hold someone to a strict standard