a stick to beat someone with
US /ə stɪk tə biːt ˈsʌm.wʌn wɪθ/
UK /ə stɪk tə biːt ˈsʌm.wʌn wɪθ/
1.
un bastone per picchiare qualcuno, un pretesto per criticare
a piece of information or an argument that can be used to criticize or harm someone
:
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His past mistakes became a stick to beat him with during the election campaign.
I suoi errori passati sono diventati un bastone per picchiarlo durante la campagna elettorale.
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Don't give them a stick to beat you with by admitting your weaknesses.
Non dare loro un bastone per picchiarti ammettendo le tue debolezze.