A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

There is always ROOM at the top

The remark is popularly attributed to the American politician Daniel Webster (1782–
1852), and is said to have been his riposte after he had been advised against joining the legal
profession on the grounds that it was already overcrowded.

1888 Clothier and Furnisher Jan. 38 The sage who so confidently remarked that

‘there is always room at the top’ might have added ‘because too many are pushed off.’

1900 W. JAMES Letter 2 Apr. (1920) II. 121 Verily there is room at the top. S—seems to

be the only Britisher worth thinking of. 1914 A. BENNETT Price of Love vii. The

Imperial had set out to be the most gorgeous cinema in the Five Towns; and it simply

was. Its advertisements read: ‘There is always room at the top.’ 1957 J. BRAINE Room at

Top xxviii. You’re the sort of young man we want. There’s always room at the top. 1980

M. DRABBLE Middle Ground 140 There’s room at the top, maybe, but only for the

clever ones. ambition

roost see CURSES, like chickens, come home to roost.

root see IDLENESS is the root of all evil; MONEY is the root of all evil.

Give a man ROPE enough and he will hang himself

Rope is used both literally, and figuratively—‘licence, freedom’.

1639 T. FULLER Holy War v. vii. they were suffered to have rope enough, till they

had haltered themselves. 1670 J. RAY English Proverbs 148 Give a thief rope enough,

and he’ll hang himself. 1698 in William & Mary College Quarterly (1950) VII. 106 The

Kings prerogative.. will be hard for his Successor to retrieve, though there’s a saying give

Men Rope enough, they will hang themselves. 1876 TROLLOPE Prime Minister II. xvii.

Give Sir Orlando rope enough and he’ll hang himself. 1941 G. BAGBY Red is for Killing

x. ‘I like to build a pretty complete case before making an arrest.’.. ‘If you give a man

enough rope he hangs himself.’ 1968 H. CECIL No Fear or Favour xvi. ‘Judges always

give a lot of rope to prisoners when they’re defending themselves, don’t they, sir?’

‘That’s true,’ said Stokes. ‘Let’s hope he hangs himself with it,’ said the superintendent.

ways and means; wrong-doers