free hand

The phrase "free hand" can describe both having unrestricted freedom and performing tasks manually without aids.

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Definition

B2General

(idiomatic)The ability to act freely or with unrestricted authority.

Example

  • The manager gave her a free hand to reorganize the department.
  • He was granted a free hand to negotiate the contract terms.

B2Art

(technical)A style of drawing or writing done manually without using guiding instruments.

Example

  • She prefers freehand sketching over using a ruler or compass.
  • The artist created the mural freehand, without any preliminary sketches.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "free hand":

bare handfree ballrunning handhand fruitfree reinwith one handhands offfree and easytop handby handin handmake free withfree worldthird handrun handsfree usehand glasshand rubwhip handfeel freetaut handpair of handsthrow handshand over handdead handsoft handtwo left handsfree variablego freeextend one's handwith both handsupper handfree sologlad handall handsback of one's handat libertywith one hand tied behind one's back