free rein
The phrase "free rein" comes from horseback riding, where a rider holds the reins loosely, allowing the horse to move freely.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(figurative, informal)The ability to act or make decisions without restrictions or interference.
Example
- The manager gave her team free rein to develop the project as they saw fit.
- Parents often struggle with giving their teenagers free rein.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "free rein":
free roamrun wildat libertymake free withfeel freefree and easyfree handlet loosefree ballfree worldcarte blanchefree usecut loosefree passrun riotfree rideon the looseno holds barredfree countrylet oneself goad libitumfree will