give someone an inch and they'll take an ell, an ell of a time, to measure with a yardstick

Formal and Informal Expressions of ell

In different contexts, you can replace 'ell' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'measurement' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'length' is a commonplace synonym.

ell: Explore its Definition & Usage

ell Definition

a former measure of length (equivalent to six hand breadths) used mainly for textiles, locally different but usually about 45 inches (1.14 meters)..

Using ell: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ell" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The cloth was sold by the ell.
Example
The length of the room was about 10 ells.

ell Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for ell

Phrases with ell

give someone an inch and they'll take an ell
if you give someone a small amount of freedom or power, they will want more and more
Example
I let my sister borrow my car once, and now she wants to use it every day. Give her an inch and she'll take an ell.
an ell of a time
a very enjoyable or exciting experience
Example
We had an ell of a time at the concert last night.
to measure with a yardstick
to judge or evaluate something based on a specific set of criteria
Example
The teacher measured the students' performance with a yardstick, giving them grades based on their test scores.

Origins of ell

from Old English 'æll', meaning 'arm'

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Summary: ell in Brief

The term 'ell' [el] refers to a former measure of length, typically used for textiles, equivalent to six hand breadths, and usually about 45 inches (1.14 meters). It is also used in idiomatic expressions such as 'give someone an inch and they'll take an ell,' meaning that if you give someone a small amount of freedom or power, they will want more and more.