camel's nose

== English == === Etymology === The root phrase is usually claimed to be a saying of Arabs or Middle Eastern cultures, roughly as follows: Do not allow a camel to put his nose under the edge of your tent, for soon you will have a camel in your tent. === Pronunciation === === Noun === camel's nose (plural camels' noses) (idiomatic) A situation where the permitting of some small act will lead to a larger undesirable act or circumstance. === See also === foot in the door give them an inch and they'll take a mile slippery slope thin edge of the wedge === References === Trilateralism: The Trilateral Commission and Elite Planning for World Management - Page 232 by Holly Sklar - Business & Economics - 1980 One Nation, Uninsured: Why the U.S. Has No National Health Insurance - Page 43 by Jill Quadagno - History - 2006 Into the Black: JPL and the American Space Program, 1976-2004 - Page 101 by Peter J. Westwick - Transportation - 2006