question about take and in for an inch, in for a mile

[XINLAI-UE]

1. What does "take" mean in this sentence?
(the scripts from Prison break 01x02, this scene's about that Michael asks John Abruzzi for a help , the content of which is below)
M - What's it take to shake down another inmate, get something he's taken from you?
J - It would take Fibonacci.
M - I'll give you Fibonacci--
- I promise you that--
- when the time is right.
J - Time is right now.
M - No, the time is right when you and I are both standing outside those walls.
- You're sitting on life without parole.
- You're never gonna stand outside those walls again.
- Not unless you knew someone.
- Someone who knew a way out.
- What do you say, John?
J - I say I've heard nothing but blabber.


2. In for an inch, in for a mile. What does this old saying mean?
( this scene's about that Michael's shaking down T-Bag's cell for the bolt when T-Bag got back)
T-Bag - What are you doing in my cell?
M - I want in.
T-Bag - I'm not quite sure I heard that, Fish.
- Did you just say you're in?
M - That's right.
T-Bag - You know the old saying, don't you?
- In for an inch, in for a mile.
M - Whatever it takes.
- You want me to fight, I'll fight.
- The bolt from the bleachers-- that's what it was for.
T-Bag - Well, you want to fight, you gonna get your chance.
- Next count.

Thanks for your help, have a nice day!:-D

 

[Amigos4]

What's it take to shake down another inmate, get something he's taken from you? 'Take' in this instance means: What do I have to do, or what needs to be done, to get back something he has taken from me?

In for an inch, in for a mile. T-Bag is telling Michael that once Michael commits to being 'in' the plan, he is commited for the duration. An analogy would be a pregnant woman; pregnant on day one, pregnant till birth. The woman is commited to the pregnancy for the duration, no matter how long it takes.

Cheers,
Amigo

 

[XINLAI-UE]

What's it take to shake down another inmate, get something he's taken from you? 'Take' in this instance means: What do I have to do, or what needs to be done, to get back something he has taken from me?

In for an inch, in for a mile. T-Bag is telling Michael that once Michael commits to being 'in' the plan, he is commited for the duration. An analogy would be a pregnant woman; pregnant on day one, pregnant till birth. The woman is commited to the pregnancy for the duration, no matter how long it takes.

Cheers,
Amigo

Thanks,amigos4.
So, the old saying" in for an inch, in for a mile" has the same meaning with the saying " give sb. an inch and they'll take a mile" . There's no difference between them, right?

And, I got another question, do you know what does " Rugheads and the Billies" mean? Does it mean blacks and whites? Thanks for your help!
:lol:

 

[Amigos4]

Thanks,amigos4.
So, the old saying" in for an inch, in for a mile" has the same meaning with the saying " give sb. an inch and they'll take a mile" . There's no difference between them, right?

And, I got another question, do you know what does " Rugheads and the Billies" mean? Does it mean blacks and whites? Thanks for your help!
:lol:

Sadly, there are still large numbers of ignorant people who use the offensive terms 'rugheads' and 'Billies'. I won't dignify those stereotypes by providing definitions in this forum. Refer to Urban Dictionary: Define Your World for further information.

Cheers,
Amigo

 

[XINLAI-UE]

Sadly, there are still large numbers of ignorant people who use the offensive terms 'rugheads' and 'Billies'. I won't dignify those stereotypes by providing definitions in this forum. Refer to Urban Dictionary: Define Your World for further information.

Cheers,
Amigo

Hi,amigos4
Thanks for your reply.:-D
and I think you're right, sorry. I just, you know, know these words from movies and I can't find the meaning of them on the dictionary,so..
anyway, I will find it on Urban Dictionary and hope you don't mind the question I asked.:-D:-D:-D


And you didn't tell me question about the saying " in for an inch, in for mile",
Does it have the same meaning with" give sb. an inch and they'll take a mile"?
thanks

 

[Amigos4]

Hi,amigos4
Thanks for your reply.:-D
and I think you're right, sorry. I just, you know, know these words from movies and I can't find the meaning of them on the dictionary,so..
anyway, I will find it on Urban Dictionary and hope you don't mind the question I asked.:-D:-D:-D


And you didn't tell me question about the saying " in for an inch, in for mile",
Does it have the same meaning with" give sb. an inch and they'll take a mile"?
thanks

Xinlai-Ue,

No problem! There is nothing wrong with asking questions about negative stereotypes, however, I think that as fellow humans and responsible citizens of the world, we need to speak out whenever one group of people is unfairly branded with a label that they find to be insulting and hurtful.

The two expressions you ask about are very different in meaning:

'In for an inch, in for a mile' refers to a person's commitment. One is either in for the duration -- whether it be for a day or for many days-- or they are not!

Giving somebody 'an inch and they'll take a mile' refers to taking advantage of a situation in a negative way. For example, letting your daughter have a credit card to pay for books and food while she is at school (you are giving her an 'inch') and she goes out and buys books, food, AND expensive clothes and jewelry (and she is 'taking a mile').

I hope this explanation is helpful.

Keep on watching the movies but be conscious of the negative impact words can have on others!

Cheers,
Amigo