leave a person to his own devices

leave a person to his own devices
• to leave a person to his own devices
• to leave a person all on his own
to leave him alone to do what he wishes, giving him no help or advice

He left us to our own devices; he didn't give a damn how the work was done as long as it was finished, when we'd promised, and he refused to be bothered with details. (J. Braine)

... he flung a blazing scrap of paper into the middle of the floor. Charles stepped over and trod it out. He felt almost guilty at leaving the idiot to his own devices. (J. Wain)


Idioms and examples. 2014.

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