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Meanings of take an ell in English

We have no meanings for "take an ell" in our records yet.
Usage of take an ell in English
1
If I give that woman an inch, she will take an ell.'
The Trial; Or, More Links of the Daisy Chain
2
Give them an inch and they'll take an ell every time.
Cicely and Other Stories
3
Give them an inch, and they would take an ell.
Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 03, April 16, 1870
4
Give a man an inch, and he'll take an ell.
Janet's Love and Service
5
Give an inch, and she will take an ell.'
Heartsease; Or, The Brother's Wife
6
Give you an inch and you take an ell!
The Second Latchkey
7
Give these people an inch and they will take an ell- amileindeed, if they can get it.
Sisters
8
It was according to the old saying, "Give a nigger an inch and he'll take an ell."
The Entire Project Gutenberg Works of Mark Twain
9
You'll have to take high ground with Mrs. Phillips, Miss Melville, for if you give her an inch she will take an ell.
Mr. Hogarth's Will
10
He had a relish for social subtleties and mysteries, and, in perception, when occasion offered him an inch he never failed to take an ell.
Roderick Hudson
11
His worst fears were realized: he had given an inch; she had taken an ell.
The Honorable Percival
12
I brought him home and gave him his freedom-butgive an inch and he takes an ell.
Olla Podrida
13
Nay, then, Mistress Margery, you are always taking an ell of meaning for my inch of speech.
The Master of Appleby / A Novel Tale Concerning Itself in Part w...
14
Bein' plain, he took an ell.
Miss Gibbie Gault
15
"Give her an inch, and she'll take an ell," she had said to herself.
Jewel: A Chapter in Her Life
16
It was built to my measure; at least that was the understanding; but you give an English tailor an inch and he takes an ell.
Europe Revised
This collocation consists of:
Take an ell across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common