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Region: General | Usage example: Cut the trainee some slack until she learns the system.

Cut some slack

Meaning

Give someone a break or be lenient.

Usage

Requests patience with a person or process.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Sailors let slack out of a rope to ease tension.

Used in nautical writing from the 1800s onward.

Related Idioms

Cut someone some slack

Give someone leniency.

Catch some Zs

Get a little sleep.

The last straw

The final annoyance that forces someone to act or break down.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.