What does it Mean to ‘Cut Some Slack’?

To cut someone some slack means to allow them more freedom than usual; to be less strict with them.

Slack in this phrase alludes to the slackening of tautness in a rope.

Imagine that an animal is tied up with a rope to a pole. If the rope is small, he can graze on a small area due to the constraint imposed by the rope.

But if the rope length is increased then he can graze on a larger area.

Thus, the increased length of rope gives the animal more freedom. Also, as the rope is longer so it will slack more. Thus, the tautness in the rope denotes restriction whereas the slack denotes freedom.

For example —

“I have been working for 10 hours continuously without any break. Please cut me some slack.”

Allow me a little freedom given that I have been continuously working for 10 hours straight.

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Hi, I am Gauri Shanker, a Vocab teacher and enthusiast. I teach vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. You can check out my courses here.