give a handle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But his presence at the scene was enough to give a handle to his enemies.

From A History of the English Church in New Zealand by Purchas, H. T. (Henry Thomas)

I have suffered too much from calumny to give a handle for evil-speaking.

From Ursula by Wormeley, Katharine Prescott

At the same time he was equally quick to see that the acquisition would give "a handle to the malcontents."

From Union and Democracy by Johnson, Allen

Over-subtlety in the leader of a party tends to perplex friends and give a handle to opponents.

From The Oxford Movement Twelve Years, 1833-1845 by Church, R. W. (Richard William)

So long as he does not give a handle to his enemies to be used against him, he is fairly contented to go on from year to year in a humdrum style.

From Twentieth Century Inventions A Forecast by Sutherland, George