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.

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

From Ursula by Wormeley, Katharine Prescott

They contained themselves, knowing that the least indiscretion would give a handle for aggression to the enemies of the good cause.

From At Home And Abroad Or, Things And Thoughts In America and Europe by Fuller, Arthur B.

We can hardly help exclaiming, “Oh, that practical Englishmen would spend their energies on larger issues rather than thus give a handle to their enemies!”

From Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood Historical, Anecdotal, Physiographical, and Archaeological, with Other Matter by Walter, James Conway

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)

I should conceive it necessary, therefore, rather to submit with patience to their repeated delays than give a handle to the British party at Court.

From The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. VIII by Sparks, Jared