Seeking a handle or opportunity for breaking an agreement into which any one may have improvidently entered, or an occasion for quarreling; and to persons of a litigious disposition, very trifling causes will afford handle sufficient for the purpose. The phrase is used by us in as many ways, as it was formerly among the Romans. You know the temper of the man, be careful that you give him no handle, no ground for caviling, though that may be though that may be difficult, as a man so disposed, will make a handle of any thing. «When we have determined to beat a dog, the first hedge we come to will furnish us with a stick for the purpose».