give

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | 700+ words | Copyright

give give and take is fair play generosity in a relationship should not be one-sided; proverbial saying, late 18th century.
give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring a schoolchildren's rhyme, chanted when a person gives something and then asks for it back. The saying is recorded in English from the late 16th century. Plato in Philebus has, ‘as with children, there is no taking away of what has been rightly given.’
give the Devil his due one should acknowledge the strengths and capabilities of even the most unpleasant person. The saying is recorded from the late 16th century.
he gives twice who gives quickly proverbial saying, mid 16th century, associating readiness to give with generosity; the saying is a translation of Latin bis dat qui cito dat, which is also widely known, and which was quoted in this form by Francis Bacon in a speech on 17 May 1617, upon his taking his seat as Keeper of the Great Seal.

See also it is better to give than to receive, give us back our eleven days, give someone an inch and they'll take an ell.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "give." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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