cut someone some slack

Meaning

To treat someone less severely than usual, or to give them an extra break because they are going through a difficult time. It is a casual way of asking someone to be patient, forgiving, or less critical.

Examples

• He's new to the job, so cut him some slack if he makes a few mistakes.

  He's new to the job, so cut him some slack if he makes a few mistakes.

• I'm really stressed this week, so please cut me some slack.

  I'm really stressed this week, so please cut me some slack.

• You should cut your brother some slack; he's dealing with a lot right now.

  You should cut your brother some slack; he's dealing with a lot right now.

• The teacher decided to cut us some slack and extended the deadline.

  The teacher decided to cut us some slack and extended the deadline.

• I know she was late, but cut her some slack—the traffic was terrible.

  I know she was late, but cut her some slack—the traffic was terrible.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Cut me some slacks.

  ✓ Cut me some slack.

  'Slack' is uncountable in this idiom. 'Slacks' refers to a type of casual trousers.

• ✗ You should cut some slack to him.

  ✓ You should cut him some slack.

  The natural idiomatic structure is 'cut [someone] some slack' rather than using 'to.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• She's going through a tough divorce, so please ___.

  💡 Be gentle and less critical of her.

  Show answer

  cut her some slack

• I've been working twelve-hour days; you could at least ___!

  💡 Give me a break or be more understanding.

  Show answer

  cut me some slack