cut someone slack
Ease up on
To cut someone slack is to ease up on criticism, demands, or expectations—to give them room to make mistakes or fall short without penalty.
The slack is literal looseness in a rope or line, extended metaphorically to social pressure: Cut me some slack, I'm new at this.
Often appears as a request or command when someone feels unfairly judged.
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- leewayPermissible margin of freedom
- patienceCalm during delays
benefit of the doubt · sympathy · adjustment · tolerance · wiggle room · kindness · clemency · look the other way · compromise · generosity · ease up · go easy · reprieve · second chance · forgiveness · understanding · open mind · consideration
cut someone slackcrack the whip
Assert stern authority
micromanage · nitpick · hold someone's feet to the fire · throw the book at · give someone a hard time
cut someone slackhold someone's feet to the fire
Apply intense pressure for accountability
read someone the riot act · rake over the coals · hold to account · call to account · give someone a hard time
cuts, cutting, cutter, cutters, someone, some, ones, slack, slacks